Last Name Collins

The surname Collins is of Anglo-Saxon and Gaelic origin. In Old English, the name "Cola" or "Kollr" meant "coal-black," while in Gaelic, it was derived from the personal name Collen, which was used as a byname for a descendant or follower of Collen. The surname became more common after the Norman Conquest when Normans with names like Col(l)inus and Collin brought their names to England and intermarried with the Anglo-Saxons. Over time, various spelling variations such as Colin, Collins, Colyns, Colins, and Collens emerged due to differences in transcription and pronunciation.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Collins

The meaning and origin of the last name Collins

The surname Collins is an anglicized form of several Gaelic names, most notably O'Cuinn, Mac Colla, and Mac Conmara. These Irish names are derived from words meaning "chief" or "leader." The name O'Cuinn was most commonly found in Ulster, while Mac Colla and Mac Conmara were prevalent in Connacht. In Scotland, the name Collins is a variant of MacColla or MacQuarrie, which also have Gaelic roots. The surname became more widespread in England following the Norman Conquest due to the assimilation of Norman-French families with Gaelic-Irish settlers. Over time, variations such as Colin and Collin also emerged. The name Collins is now found globally, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Collins

The surname Collins is predominantly of English origin and has been widely distributed throughout England, particularly in regions such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, and Cumbria due to its historical association with the Anglo-Saxon settlers who arrived in those areas during the Early Middle Ages. Outside of England, significant populations carrying the Collins surname can be found in Ireland, Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, owing to historical migrations from England during the 18th and 19th centuries. In North America, Irish immigrants who fled famine-stricken Ireland during the mid-19th century also contributed to its spread. Today, the Collins surname remains common in English-speaking countries, with notable concentrations in urban areas.

Variants and spellings of the last name Collins

The surname Collins has several variations and spellings due to differences in spelling conventions, migration patterns, and individual preference over time. Some common variants include Collin(s), Colins, Collens, Collen, Coleyns, Coelen, and Coulins. These variations may arise from regional dialects, transcription errors, or attempts to phonetically represent the name in different languages. The original form of the name is believed to be derived from an occupational name for a coal miner or from a nickname for a person with dark hair or a swarthy complexion, both referring to the Old French term "colin" which means 'a coal' or 'dark-haired'.

Famous people with the last name Collins

Notable individuals with the surname Collins include:

1. Jimmy Collins (1944-2017), an American professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics and won two NBA championships.

2. Alan Collins, an English musician best known as the bassist of the rock band Genesis from 1968 to 1975.

3. Kathy Collins, an American author and illustrator, most famous for her children's books, including "The Librarian of Basra" series.

4. Billy Collins (b. 1941), an American poet who served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003 and is known for his accessible and often humorous style.

5. H. M. Collins, a British astronomer who was one of the first scientists to study exoplanets and discovered the first extrasolar planet orbiting a main-sequence star in 1995.

6. Luke Collins (b. 1987), an Australian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as sports, music, literature, and science.

Genealogical research on the last name Collins

The surname Collins is of Irish and Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name O'Cuinn or MacCollin, which means "a follower of Colm Cille" (Columcille), a famous Irish monk and missionary in the 6th century. In Ireland, the name is most common in Ulster, particularly County Donegal and County Down. The Collins family played a significant role in Irish history, with members such as Theobald Walter, The White Knight of Connacht, and Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin, being prominent figures. In Scotland, the name is most common in Argyllshire, where it originated from a Norman family named de Colyns who settled there after the Norman conquest of England. The Collins Clan was powerful in Scotland during medieval times but lost their lands due to conflicts with neighboring clans and the Scottish Crown. Notable individuals with the surname Collins include American Revolutionary War hero William Collins, English poet William Wordsworth, and American actor Arthur Collins.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Collins"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends