This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of John,' from diminutive Jenkin; compare Wilkin, Watkin, Tompkin, Simpkin, &c. The 'g' in Jenking is excrescent, as in Jennings. The tendency at first was to Jonkin, but the influence of the N. French Jenin was too strong; v. Jennings.

Adam Janekyn, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Johannes Wayte, et Agnes uxor ejus, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes serviens ejus, 1379: ibid.

Robertus Jonkinson, 1379: ibid.

The last three entries occur together.

Alicia Jonkyn, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johanna Jonkyn-wyf, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Jonkynson, 1379: ibid.

Jenkin Vaughan, prebendary of St. David's, 1621: History and Ant. St. David's.

1602. Ralph Jenkinson, alias Johnson, of Longton: Wills at Chester.

Jenkin’s (Son), Jenikin’s Son, v. Jenkin.

From Jenks or John, and the patronymic termination ings, belonging to, or son of John.

Jenkins. —This name has its home in South Wales and Monmouthshire, where it is very numerous. Like other Welsh names it has spread itself to the southward and eastward, though not nearly to the extent of some of the other common names of the Principality. In Cornwall it occurs in numbers, generally in the form of Jenkin. Its isolated appearance in Kent is somewhat remarkable. In the northern part of England, especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire, its place is supplied by Jenkinson.

The usual explanation that Jenkins is a name of Flemish type, probably introduced by the Flemings who settled in numbers in South Wales in the reign of Henry I., is to some extent supported by the fact that the great home of the name is now in South Wales and Monmouthshire. It is singular, however, that the name, usually as Jenkin, should be numerous in Cornwall. Cornwall is very Welsh with reference to some of its most frequent names, such as Roberts, Phillips, Williams, Richards, Thomas, Jenkin, Harris, James, &c., which, in the intervening counties of Devon and Somerset are usually much less numerous. This close resemblance in family nomenclature between two isolated regions that possess a similar racial history is very remarkable.

Jenkins it is said to be a name introduced by the Flemings who settled in South Wales in the reign of Henry I. Its distribution, which much resembles that of Jenkins, supports this explanation. However, both names are now Welsh by appropriation for several centuries. Like many other Welsh names, it has only become a settled surname in comparatively modern times, and perhaps its adoption as such is more recent than in the case of most of the other names. Thus, whilst the Brecon family of Watkins carries its pedigree back four centuries, it has only possessed a settled surname for two centuries, the family names previously being Watkin, Rees, Price, etc. (Jones' "Brecknockshire").