This surname AICKIN was a baptismal name 'the son of Adam' an ancient and still popular font name. Early records of the name mention Adekin filius Turst, 1191 County Norfolk. John Adekyn, 1296 Cumberland. Willelmys Adkynson was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of the year 1379. John of Akyne a Scottish merchant was petitioned for the return of his ship and goods illegally seized in England in 1405. George Handaye married Mary Adkinsson at St. Michael, Cornhill, London in the year 1718. Alex Aitkens and Jane Mecallpen were married at St. George.s, Hanover Square, London in the year 1744. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Many factors contributed to the establishment of a surname system. For generations after the Norman Conquest of 1066 a very few dynasts and magnates passed on hereditary surnames, but the main of the population, with a wide choice of first-names out of Celtic, Old English, Norman and Latin, avoided ambiguity without the need for a second name. As society became more stabilized, there was property to leave in wills, the towns and villages grew and the labels that had served to distinguish a handful of folk in a friendly village were not adequate for a teeming slum where perhaps most of the householders were engaged in the same monotonous trade, so not even their occupations could distinguish them, and some first names were gaining a tiresome popularity, especially Thomas after 1170. The hereditary principle in surnames gained currency first in the South, and the poorer folk were slower to apply it. By the 14th century however, most of the population had acquired a second name. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. The arms were registered at Saltcoats, Co. Stirling in the year 1871.