Surname Larkins - Meaning and Origin

Larkins: What does the surname Larkins mean?

Larkins is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Lorcáin", which means "descendant of Lorcán". The name "Lorcán" itself has roots in two Gaelic words "lorc" that means "fierce" and "án" which translates to "little", so it may refer to a small but fierce person, or a young warrior. This name could also relate to the lark bird, symbolizing someone who is merry or cheerful. The name Larkins is common in Ireland, but due to the Irish diaspora, it can now be found in many English-speaking countries. Like many surnames, the exact meanings can be lost to history but this represents the most accepted interpretation.

Larkins: Where does the name Larkins come from?

The surname Larkins is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "Lorcán" which means 'fierce'. It initially was used as a personal name before it turned into a family name. It was first recorded in County Kerry, Ireland.

The surname managed to spread across the globe due to the mass migration during the Irish diaspora in the 19th century. Today, it is most prevalent in the United States, but still remains relatively common in its ancestral homeland of Ireland. It is also found in lesser numbers in countries like England, Australia, and Canada. Though initially of Irish origin, it is considered common in regions with significant populations of Irish immigrants or descendants.

Variations of the surname Larkins

The surname Larkins is of Anglo-Saxon descent, closely related to the word "larkin", which was a playful child or a term for a rough, sporty youth in Middle English. Thus, it may have initially been a nickname before evolving into a surname.

Variants of Larkins include Larkings, Larken, and Larking. Variants might have evolved due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings. Further, some have proposed that it could be a variation of the surname "Larke", as “-ins” is often used as a diminutive suffix in English surnames.

Other possible spellings of the surname Larkins could be Larckins, Larrkins, or Larquins, but these are much less common. Diminutive forms of the name might include Little Larkin or Larkinson.

It's noteworthy to mention that as many English surnames, Larkin might also be an anglicised form of an Irish Gaelic surname - Ó Lorcáin, meaning "descendant of Lorcán". The variants for this Irish form also include O'Lorkin, Lorcan, Lorkin, and Lorken.

A noteworthy individual with the Larkins surname was Eden Larkins, an English cricketer who played for Sussex in the 1840s and 1850s.

To trace the origin of a specific Larkins lineage, it would be advisable to pursue genealogical research or consult specific family records.

Famous people with the name Larkins

• Anthony Larkins: a former professional football player from the United States who played in the NFL from 1992-2004.
• Noel Larkins: Australian former professional cricket player who represented his country in international matches between 1986 and 1990.
• Gregorio Larkins: a former Venezuelan football player who spent most of his career with Deportivo Táchira F.C.
• Simon Larkins: New Zealand jazz musician who has released several albums and performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham.
• John Larkins: American former professional basketball player who played for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA from 1983-1989.
• Casey Larkins: former American Major League Baseball player who played in four seasons from 1975-1980.
• Ron Larkins: the former defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders from 1974-1977.
• Jay Larkins: former American professional wrestler who performed for the National Wrestling Alliance from 1962-1973.
• Toni Larkins: a singer-songwriter from Australia who has released eight studio albums.
• Stephen Larkins: the former British soldier and explorer who earned the Victoria Cross for his service in World War I.

Other surnames

LarkinLarking