Hawkins

Hawkins is a surname of English origin that is also used as a place name and, less commonly, as a given name. As a surname, it has appeared in historical records since the medieval period and has been borne by many individuals across politics, science, sports, and the arts, though there is no single figure who dominates its history.

The name is attached to several places in the United States. Hawkins County, Tennessee, is a notably historic county, and there are towns named Hawkins in Texas and in other states. The use of Hawkins as a toponym often reflects ties to local families or early settlers.

In popular culture, Hawkins is widely known as the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, featured in the television series Stranger Things. The setting includes institutions such as the Hawkins National Laboratory and a cast of characters who confront extraordinary events connected to the town’s history.

Beyond its use as a surname and place name, Hawkins appears in various genealogical, historical, and biographical references. The name continues to be encountered in contemporary naming and in records documenting families, communities, and cultural works.