Recorded as Dakin, Daykin, Daykyn, Dackyn, Dacken, and possibly others, this surname can be either English or Welsh. It has at least two quite distinct origins, each with its own history and derivation. Firstly it may derive from the Middle English male given name of Daykin or Deykin, diminutives of the Olde English pre 7th century "Daei". This was a shortened form of original personal compound names such as "Daegberht", with the elements "daeg", meaning day, and "berht", bright, or "Daegmund", meaning "Day protection". A second possible source of the surname is the medieval Dai, a Welsh nickname form of the male given name David, one of the many names from the bible introduced into Europe by returning Crusaders of the 12th century. Meaning "Beloved of Jehovah", the name was borne by the greatest of the early kings of Israel which led to its popularity first among Jewish peoples, and later among Christians throughout the Middle Ages. St. David, the 6th century bishop of Menevia became the patron saint of Wales and two early kings of Scotland also bore the name. Amongst the earliest surviving recordings of the name are Daykenus Judgeus noted in the Hundred Rolls of the county of Rutland in 1275, and Henricus Daykyn in the Poll Tax returns for Yorkshire in 1379. The surname is particularly widespread in the county of Shropshire as a result of the Welsh influence. These early recordings include Ellyn Dakin and Hughe Lloyd who were married at St. Alkmunds, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on January 27th 1576. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Deykin. This was dated 1344, in a catalogue of Ancient Deeds, for Shropshire, during the reign of King Edward 111rd of England, 1327 - 1377. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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