Surname Pickins - Meaning and Origin

Pickins: What does the surname Pickins mean?

The surname Pickins is of English origin and is derived from the medieval personal given name, Picken, which is itself a form of the name Pic. This given name signifies a person who is sharp, quick, or keen, as it is derived from the pre 7th Century word "pic", meaning point, translated metaphorically to mean a sharp individual. Therefore, the surname Pickins may be interpreted to symbolize a descendant or kin of a sharp or quick person. As with many surnames, variations could occur over time due to factors such as regional dialects, illiteracy, and the evolution of language, resulting in several versions including Pick, Picke, Picken, and Pickens, among others.

Pickins: Where does the name Pickins come from?

The surname Pickins is most commonly found in the United States today. It is believed to have started appearing in America in the early 1800s, perhaps with German immigrants. The oldest family line of Pickins trace their history to Virginia. Today, the highest concentration of people with this surname live in the state of Georgia. It is one of the most common surnames in the state, ranking in at 7676th place.

In addition to Georgia, this surname is seen to be well-represented throughout North and South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. Beyond the US, Pickins is rarely found. Most occurrences are in Canada and in a few European countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark.

The origin of the name Pickins isn’t entirely known but it is thought to have originated as an occupational surname denoting someone who picked something, such as herbs or fruits. This is a less-common occupational surname and its rarity has made it difficult to trace its exact history.

Today, the name Pickins is most commonly associated with the southeastern section of the United States. While not found in large numbers anywhere else, this surname is still an important part of many family and local histories in the area.

Variations of the surname Pickins

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pickins include Pickens, Picken, Pickin, Pickings, Picking, Picken, Pickins, Pickine, Pickinz, Pickny, Pickn, Picke, Pieckens, Pickance, and Pykens.

Pickens is the most common spelling variant of this surname. It is an English variation of the original Welsh name Ap Gein, meaning "son of Gwyn." Gein was an ancient Celtic given name. It was first found in Denbighshire, Wales, where they held a family seat before migrating to England and Scotland. The Picken and Pickings variants are more common in Scotland and Ireland.

The Pickyn or Pickin variant is slightly less common than the others, but still occurs in England and Scotland. This spelling variant may be derived from the Old English given name Piccin, meaning "little man." The Pickine or Pickinz variations may also be derived from this or a similar name.

The Pieckens spelling is likely derived from Flemish settlers who came to the area of Yorkshire, England in the 11th century, and may be a variation on the original Pykens. The Pickance and Pickny spellings are rarely seen and may be very localized variants.

Famous people with the name Pickins

• David Pickins: American football player and motivational speaker.
• Charles Pickins: Broadway actor, currently starring in the musical "Dreamgirls."
• Taya Pickins: Car racing driver known for winning the 2015 Formula Vee World Championship.
• Ken Pickins: Voice Actor, appearing in many animated shows and video games.
• Randy Pickins: Country music singer and songwriter.
• Ted Pickins: Musician and member of the classic rock band The Eagles.
• Jack Pickins: Comedian and actor who starred in the TV comedy series "Roseanne."
• Ruth Pickins: Political activist and feminist leader.
• Marc Pickins: Film and television actor, known for his roles in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Touch of Pink."
• Jake Pickins: Stand-up comedian and winner of the "Last Comic Standing" competition.

Other surnames

PickinPickitt