Surname Younkins - Meaning and Origin

Younkins: What does the surname Younkins mean?

The lastname Younkins is of Germanic origin, deriving from the Old German personal name "Junken", which is thought to have meant "younger born son". The name is attributed with a long and special history in Germany, however its more recent use in Europe and North America began largely during the 19th century when large numbers of German immigrants began to settle in these regions.

Younkins families can be found across cultures and countries today, although the majority of those carrying the name are located in the United States and Canada. In the United States Younkins can most commonly be found today in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.

The name does not have a uniform spelling, however Younkin is among the most common spellings. Other variations of the name can also be found, such as Jenkin, Juncken, Junkin, and Younkin.

The Younkins name is strongly associated with a sense of community and strong family values. Those with the Younkins name are often seen as hard-working and honest, with a strong dedication to their families, communities, and to working hard to provide for them.

Younkins: Where does the name Younkins come from?

Younkins is an English surname originating from the north of England with the first record of the name appearing in the county of York in 1317. Today, Younkins is not particularly common but it is most frequently found in the northern regions of England, particularly northern Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lancashire. There are also instances of Younkins in the United States, where it became more common with migrants from England during the 19th century. Younkins is now mainly found in the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States, with most concentration of people with the name in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.

An alternate spelling of Younkins, Younkens, is also seen in both England and the United States. While the spelling difference is due to variations in the handwriting styles of clerks, both spellings are undergoing a resurgence in recent years due to their increased use on websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. Whether it is Younkins or Younkens, the name is still a relatively rare one, but with its increased use on genealogical websites, it is growing in popularity.

Variations of the surname Younkins

The surname Younkins is an Americanized form of the European name, Yankin. The original Yankin surname is of eastern European origin. Other possible spellings and variants of this surname include Yankanich, Yankovitch, Yankovic, Yankovitch, Yanchenko, Yanich, Yanchick, Yanchik, Yanicky, Yonkin, Younkin and Younkinson. It is also possible to find familial spellings and derivatives of the pronunciation of this surname such as Yankan, Yanke, Yankes, Yances and Youncken.

Younkins is likely derived from the early root name Yanka. It is thought that this name evolved from the Slavic word meaning “little fire” and was likely used to describe an ancestor who was described as feisty or volatile. The Younkins family has likely been present in the United States since the mid 1800s.

The Caroline Memorial Homepage has detailed records and photographs of individuals with the Younkins surname and its variations who were first settlers in America. It is possible that many of the earliest Younkins settlers originated from Czechoslovakia or Lithuania. In addition, some Younkins may have been native to Germany or England.

The surname Younkins is not a very common name, yet it is found primarily in the United States and Europe. As a result, one can easily trace the origin of the Younkins surname. As with any surname, people who share the same surname may not be related and it is always best to research each individual within a family tree to ensure accuracy of the information.

Famous people with the name Younkins

• Juliette Younkins, a para-equestrian with two Paralympic gold medals in dressage.
• Zane Younkin, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2006-2014.
• Missy Younkin, an Australian field hockey player who competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
• Alicia Younkins, a former professor of mathematics education at Emporia State University.
• Brandon Younkin, a half-pipe snowboarder who won silver in the 1998 Olympics.
• Geoff Younkins, a professional golfer on the US PGA Tour.
• Betty Younkins, an American artist and art historian.
• Jenna Younkin, a Canadian Paralympic goalkeeper.
• Douglas Younkins, a former investment banker and current president of the healthcare venture capital firm Franklin Healthcare Solutions.
• Heather Younkin, a contemporary artist and potter.

Other surnames

Younkin