Collins Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Collins Name Meaning: With an Anglo-Saxon origin, Collins is a diminutive form of Nicholas. It is also said the name comes from the Irish word "cuilein", which means "darling".

Several instances of the surname have been documented in England as far back as the twelth century, and is also mentioned in the Domesday book.

Discover how your Collins ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Collins Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Collins family

Profession Census Frequency
School 5,263
General Labourer 502
Farm Labourer 487
Labourer 378
Private Means 352
General Servant (domestic) 303
Coal Miner Hewer 260
None 256
Domestic Servant 226
Dressmaker 215
Farmer 175
Clerk 173
At Home 168
House Painter 165
Laundress 162
Dock Labourer 155
Cook (domestic) 140
House Keeper 139
Charwoman 133
Scholar 133
Carpenter 132
At School 129
Shop Assistant 128
Dress Maker 121
Carman 120

Collins Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Collins 100% 291,276
2 Collens 86% 3,638
3 Colins 86% 2,284
4 Callins 86% 1,206
5 Cullins 86% 436
6 Collines 88% 305
7 Cullens 71% 211
8 Collyns 86% 199
9 Collons 86% 193
10 Collans 86% 154
11 Coolins 86% 124

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The surname Collins is the most popular version of all its varients

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