Family Genealogy

Hawkins Coat of Arms
Hawkins Coat of Arms

Hawkins

The old Anglo Saxon surname of Hawkins, can be traced back to very early times, and it remains a popular name today, especially in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devon.

A Robert Hauekin is recorded in 1248; Henricus Hawkynne and Johannes Haukyn both appear in records of 1379. In the 11th Century the use of surnames was introduced to the British Isles by the Normans. They were usually local ( a place or landmark close to where the person came from). patronymic ( “son of ” ), a trade or profession name, or a nickname. The name Hawkins is patronymic, meaning ” the son of Henry “; the pet names for Henry were Hal, or Halkin, and this is how, it is thought that the name developed into the present-day Hawkins.

I can trace my family back until around the early 1800′s in London, please feel free to contact me for a copy of my GED family tree database file or just to trade information.

The ancient family motto was Toujours Pret ( French, meaning “Always Ready” ).

In 1999 I was lucky enough to visit Greenland, when there with a team of 3 others we climbed many previously unclimbed mountains, as they hadn’t been climbed we were able to name them. One of the summits pictured below I named after my father. It is the right hand peak in the photo below.

Mount Hawkins

Mount Hawkins / Dads Mountain ( N 069.186595 - W 026.675550 )


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More information about the expedition can be found here.

Redknap

The London based Redknap family also feature in past generations, from Thames Watermen and Lightermen to the science fiction writers Erroll Collins.

Faggetter

The Faggetter family name is very strong around the Pirbright area of Surrey.  I am currently researching this arm of the family starting with Ivor Martin Faggetter.

Butt

Another London / Thames based name, connected with the Dutch and import / export business.  With connections to Northampton.

  1. Steve Hawkins
    August 11th, 2009 at 23:27 | #1

    Saw the mountain you named after your Dad. I can trace my ancestry to England but get lost in the maze of family trees. My father’s father came from the south US and we live in Chicago.

  2. Chris
    November 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 | #2

    @Steve Hawkins
    Cheers Steve for leaving a note. I guess you are connected to the Exeter Hawkins line, I think most of the early settlers were from this area and there was a Hawkins hotspot there. Good luck with your research and let me know if you find any connections.

  3. Timothy Hawkins
    January 3rd, 2010 at 04:48 | #3

    I notice you have the family coat of arms with the cross and fleurs, there is also the coat of arms with the X and six fleurs. Why the difference? Can you give me some history on this difference? I am proud to be an Anglo Saxon. Waes hael!
    Timothy Hawkins

  4. Chris
    January 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 | #4

    Timothy, thanks for dropping by, I wasn’t aware of two different coats of arms or the differences in them, I will have to do some more digging and see what I can find. Thanks and Waes Hael to you and yours

  5. Geoff Hawkins
    May 14th, 2010 at 04:27 | #5

    Hey Chris, I am told by my father that this is my family’s coat of arms, yet I have seen several different versions. I am also curious about the differences. My grandfather Neal Hawkins came from The Bronx in New York, I live in Lancaster,CA.USA

  6. Chris
    August 1st, 2010 at 11:15 | #6

    I have seen a couple of different versions, and I am not really sure which is actually connected to me ( if any ). If you have any information I would love to hear it.

    Thanks

    Chris

  7. helen
    October 13th, 2010 at 21:59 | #7

    Dear Chris,

    Further to our discussion on ‘Roots Chat’ just letting you know that I’ve ordered a transcript of the marriage between Elizabeth REDKNAP & Henry HART in Sydney NSW 1844. Hopefully it’ll have some interesting details. Will take between 2-4 wks to arrive.

    Cheers,

    Helen

  8. helen
    November 9th, 2010 at 09:38 | #8

    Dear Chris,

    No transcript so far, but of course I should have done an internet search first!! ‘Rootsweb’ has an entry with the relevant details outlined!

    Helen

    PS It would be nice to know where Elizabeth Jane REDKNAP fits in.

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