Find out how popular the last name Larkins is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Larkins.

Larkins, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Larkins surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Larkins in America

Larkins is the 5470th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Larkins surname appeared 6,357 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Larkins.

We can also compare 2010 data for Larkins to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Larkins

The surname Larkins is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "lar", meaning learning or instruction, combined with the diminutive suffix "-kin". This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who were involved in teaching or education.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where it appears as "Larekin". This historical document provides valuable insights into the taxation records of the time and serves as evidence of the name's existence during the 12th century.

As the name spread across different regions of England, variations in spelling emerged. Some examples include Larken, Larkin, and Larkyn. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions in earlier times.

The Larkins surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Larkin (1601-1681), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Wigan during the 17th century. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, initially supporting the Royalist cause but later siding with the Parliamentarians.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Thomas Larkins (1720-1790), a renowned English portraitist and painter. His works can be found in various collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.

In the literary world, Philip Larkin (1922-1985), one of the most renowned poets of the 20th century, gained widespread acclaim for his work. His collections, such as "The Less Deceived" and "High Windows", explored themes of mortality, social observance, and the complexities of modern life.

The name Larkins has also been linked to several place names in England, including Larkins Farm in Hertfordshire and Larkins Lane in Kent. These locations may have derived their names from individuals or families bearing the Larkins surname who lived or owned property in those areas.

While the Larkins name may not be as prominent as some other English surnames, it has left an indelible mark on history, with its bearers making significant contributions across various fields, from politics and art to literature.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Larkins

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Larkins.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Larkins was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Larkins has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Larkins was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Larkins, please contact us.

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