Dickens
What is the origin of the last name Dickens?
Meaning and origin
The last name Dickens traces its origins to medieval England, derived from the popular given name "Dickin," a diminutive form of "Dick," which was a short form of the name Richard.
The longer story
The last name Dickens has an interesting origin and meaning. The name is derived from the medieval given name "Dickin," which is a diminutive of "Dick" or "Richard." This suggests that the surname originally indicated "son of Dickin" or "son of Richard," emphasizing the patronymic nature of many English last names.
The name Dickens can be traced back to the 13th century in England, with early records showing variations such as Dikyn, Dykkyns, and Dykins. Similar to other patronymic surnames, the spelling and pronunciation of Dickens have evolved over time. Alternative spellings include Diggins and Dickins.
The meaning of the last name Dickens reflects its connection to the name Dickin or Richard, which has Old English origins. The name Richard traces back to the Germanic elements "ric," meaning "ruler" or "king," and "hard," meaning "brave" or "strong." Therefore, the name Dickens can be interpreted as "son of Dickin/Richard," with connotations of a strong or brave ruler.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,990
Dickens was the 1,990th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 18,123 people, about 5.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Dickens
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Dickens is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.