Surname Hodgins - Meaning and Origin

Hodgins: What does the surname Hodgins mean?

The surname Hodgins is of English origin and is derived from a patronymic form of the personal name "Roger". It commonly has the suffix “-ins”, which indicates ‘son of’ or ‘descendant of.’ Thus, Hodgins may mean "descendant of Roger" or "son of Roger". Moreover, Roger stands as a popular first name in medieval English which is composed of the elements "hrod", meaning "fame", and "geir", meaning "spear". So, Hodgins could also symbolically suggest a lineage relating to fame and spear. Despite these interpretations, it’s important to note that individual family histories and origins might carry varying meanings of the surname. As a result, the exact definition of the name Hodgins might differ among families bearing the same surname.

Hodgins: Where does the name Hodgins come from?

The last name Hodgins is of English origin, and it is a patronymic form of the name Roger, derived from 'Hodge' - a diminutive of Roger, and 'kin' - meaning family or offspring. The name essentially means "son of Roger."

The earliest recordings of the Hodgins surname have been traced back to Cambridgeshire, England in the 13th century. It is speculated to have become prevalent during the Middle Ages, with significant American lineage emerging in the early 18th century.

Today, the name Hodgins is most common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. In particular, it is quite prevalent in Ontario, Canada due to early migration patterns. The Hodgins family made a substantial contribution to the development of Ontario, significantly shaping both the economy and infrastructure during the era of rapid growth.

While many Hodgins can be found around the world, a comprehensive global census indicates that there are approximately 5,000 individuals with the Hodgins surname today, making it a relatively uncommon last name globally.

Variations of the surname Hodgins

The surname Hodgins originated from the Hebrew personal name Hadyn, meaning "chief". Variants of Hodgins include Hodgkin, Hodgkinson, Hodgkins, Hodgen, Hodgens, Hodgin, Hodgkiss, and Hodson. Over time, regional dialects and phonetic spelling has led to further variations and spellings.

Surname spellings and their evolution have been marked by historical and geographical factors. Understanding the common roots of these names can provide clues about the ancestry and country of origin; many of these variants can be traced back to British and Irish lineages. For instance, the 'kin' suffix in Hodgkin is a diminutive meaning 'little', suggesting a term of endearment.

Last names such as Hodgkinson and Hodgkiss indicate adding additional descriptive terms to the original name. Hodgkinson translates to 'son of Hodgkin'. It would be worth noting that numerous spellings for this surname could be found in the early census records due to lack of standardized spelling rules in those times plus low literacy rate among the populations.

In terms of frequency, the names Hodgkins and Hodgkin are most popular in England, especially in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire respectively. Elsewhere, these surnames are also present in Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Hodgins

• Walter Hodgins, Canadian politician
• Jonny Hodgins, Canadian ice hockey player
• W.O. Hodgins, Canadian lawyer and politician
• Adam Hodgins, Canadian artist
• Mick Hodgins, British DJ and producer
• Robert William Hodgins, South African artist
• Gavin Hodgins, Scottish rugby union player
• Frances Hodgins, Canadian artist
• Darlene Hodgins, Canadian business leader
• Ruth Hodgins, American theater producer

Other surnames

Hodgin