This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. The son of Adam, from the nick. Addy, diminutive Adkin, sharpened to Atkin. There is no need of course to prove this, but it is interesting to note the following: 'Adam le Fullere,' a citizen of London, is twice referred to as Adekin le Fullere (1073, Hundred Rolls). Six centuries ago Adam probably ranked as second or third favourite among boys' names throughout England. In the north it attained a most remarkable pre-eminence. Four Adams are mentioned in the revenues of Conishead Priory, A. D. 1256 (West's Furness, pp. 192, 195). No fewer than six Adams figure as benefactors of Furness Abbey, circa 1290 (ibid). The everyday form was Adekin, then Adkin, and finally Atkin (see Addison).

Geoffrey Adekyn, 10 Ric. II, Norfolk: History of Norfolk.

William Adekyn, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Willelmus Adkynson, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenshire.

Edmund Adkynson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Hatkyn Benete, 1379: ibid.

The following come together: —

Johannes Attekyson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Alicia soror Adekynson, 1379: ibid.

1680. Married — William Deevy and Elizabeth Adkins: St. Dionis Backchurch.

1709. Elizabeth, d. of John Adkison: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1718. Married — George Handaye and Mary Adkisson: St. Michael, Cornhill.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Arthur.' A rare font-name in the Hundred Rolls. Very common since the battle of Waterloo and the publication of Tennyson's poems.

Walter fil. Arthurii, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

William Arthur, Essex, ibid.

Stephen Arthur, Wiltshire, ibid.

William Artur, Somerset, ibid.

Henry Artur, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Robert Arthur, rector of Castor, Norfolk, 1334: History of Norfolk.

1615. Robert Arthur and Margaret Ballis: Marriage Lic. (London).

1709. Baptised — Benjamin Arthur, a young man about 18: St. Dionis Backchurch.

Gaelic Artair, Middle Gaelic. Artuir, Elr. Artuir, Artur, from Old Irish art, a 'bear,' W. arth. The name may point to early Celtic worship of the bear, whence Artogenos, 'son of Artos,' W. Arthgen (SGS., I, p. 11). The name occurs several times, both among the northern and southern Cymry at the close of the sixth and beginning of the seventh centuries (Zimmer, Nennius Vindicatus, p. 284). Aedan mac Gabrain, king of Dalriata, whose mother was a British princess, named his eldest son Arthur, "the first Gael, so far as we know, to bear that name" (Watson I, p. 129). Arthur of Kyncorth is mentioned 1435 (RAA., II, p. 69). Thomas Harthawr witnessed a commission of bailiary, 1511 (Panmure, II, 279). John Airtheor juror on retour of special service in Duns, Berwickshire, 1678 (Home, 194). "The fore-name Arthur is common in Shetland now (1879), but I rather think it is only a seventeenth or eighteenth century corrupt form of the Old Northern 'Ottar.' Last century, 'Otto,' or 'Otho,' or 'Ottie' was a frequent forename here; and now no case of it occurs. In our North Isles it has even been Judaised into 'Hosea,' so that 'Otto Ottoson' was transmuted into 'Hosea Hoseason' so written, but pronounced 'Osie Osieson'" (Arthur Laurenson in letter to Karl Blind, Nineteenth century, V, p. 1112). Arncthure 1686, Arthure 1530, Arthwire 1556. Chester Alan Arthur (1830—86), twenty-first president of the United States, was son of a Belfast minister of Scottish descent.

(Celtic) 1? Bear-Guard or Bear- Man (perh. the Cymric form of Latin Arctur-us, the brightest star of the con­stellation Bootes (Greek Aρκτουρος (Arktouros), bear-guard-Aρκτος (arktos), a bear, whence Latin Arctos, Arctus); but more likely the name is the Cymric (Welsh) arth, a bear + (g)wr, a man] The old Welsh romances, Mabinogion (the stock-in-trade of a mabinog, or ap­prentice bard), very largely turn upon King Arthur:— Arthur was accustomed to hold his court at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, and there he held it seven Easters and five Christmases. And once upon a time he held his court there at Whitsuntide, for Caerlleon was the place most easy of access in his dominions, both by sea and by land. And there were assembled nine crowned kings, who were his tributaries, and likewise earls and barons. - ‘Geraint, the Son of Erbin': Mabinigion, transl. Guest.

So the child was delyverd unto Merlyn, and so he bare it forth unto Syre Ector, and made an holy man to crysten hym, and named hym Arthur. - Morte d'Arthur I. iii.

2 Used by the Irish and Highlanders for their name Art, which ignified, according to Cormac's Glossary. Stone, Noble.

As a personal name Art was, I suppose, originally meant to convey the idea of hardness, bravery, and power of endur­ance in battle. It was much used in Ireland from a very early time, several of our ancient kings having borne the name.

Joyce, Irish Names, II. 154.

William Arthur.—Hundred Rolls Cp. O’Hart.

This pre-Norman family has been prominent in Limerick since the twelfth century. IF 287; Map Lim

A Scottish name distinct from the foregoing.

It is often called Arthur and sometimes MacCarter. IF 287

(English) Descendant of Arthur (Thor's eagle).

The Christian name. Other surnames from it are Atty, Atts, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson, Atcock. Aikin and Aitkin may be northern varieties.

(British.) A strong man; from Ar (Latin vir), a man, and thor, strong. In the Gaelic, Air is the same as Fear, a man; and the ancient Scythians called a man Aior. Thor was the Jupiter of the Teutonic races, their god of thunder. In Welsh, Arth is a bear, an emblem of strength and courage, and ur a noun termination, a man. Arthur, a bear—man, a hero, a man of strength; the name of a British prince.

Atkinson. —Essentially a north country name, prevailing in the counties north of the Wash and the Mersey, and having its principal home in the counties of Durham, Cumberland, and Westmoreland. It is scantily represented across the border.