Watkin

Watkin is a diminutive form of the given name Walter, specifically through the Middle English form 'Wat' or 'Watt'. The suffix '-kin' is a Middle English diminutive, meaning 'little' or 'son of'. Therefore, Watkin literally means 'little Wat' or 'son of Wat', with Wat being a common short form of Walter. The name Walter itself is of Germanic origin, derived from the elements 'wald' (rule) and 'heri' (army), meaning 'commander of the army'.

The name Watkin became established in Wales, particularly as a patronymic surname, and later as a given name. Its usage reflects the historical practice of forming new names from existing ones, often by adding diminutive suffixes. Over time, names like Watkin could evolve into surnames, and then sometimes be re-adopted as first names, though Watkin remains more common as a surname today.