Watkins is an English and Welsh surname derived as a patronymic from Watkin, in turn a diminutive of the name Watt (also Wat), a popular Middle English given name itself derived as a pet form of the name Walter.
Notable people with the surname include:
Aaron S. Watkins, American academic and politician
Alan Watkins, Welsh journalist
Alfred Watkins, English proponent of ley lines, pioneer photographer, author
Allan Watkins, Welsh cricketer
Anna Watkins, English rower.
Arthur Vivian Watkins, American politician
Barry Watkins (full name Randall Burnell Watkins), Welsh footballer
Ben Watkins, English musician
Beverly Watkins ("Guitar" Watkins), American blues guitarist
Bill Watkins (disambiguation), any of several people
Bob Watkins, American baseball player
Calvert Watkins, American linguist
Carleton Watkins, American photographer
Charles F. Watkins, American physician, surgeon, physiotherapist, athlete, and coach
Charles James Watkins (1846–1906), English entomologist
Charlie Watkins, Scottish professional football player and manager
David Watkins (disambiguation)
Dean Watkins, American engineer and candidate for Vice-President
Diante Watkins, American basketball player
Doug Watkins, American jazz bassist
Dudley D. Watkins, English comics artist and Desperate Dan creator
Enid Watkins (1890–1971), American singer and dancer
Frank Watkins, WWII RNZAF pilot
Fred Watkins, Welsh footballer
Gary Watkins, American politician
George D. Watkins (born 1924), American physicist
Gloria Watkins, African-American writer known as bell hooks
Hugh Watkins (referee) (born 1963), Welsh rugby referee
Hugh Christian Watkins (born 1959), English professor of cardiology
Ian Watkins (disambiguation)
J. Elfreth Watkins, American engineer
James Watkins, English film director
James D. Watkins, American admiral and Energy Secretary
Jason Watkins (actor), British actor
Jenny Watkins-Isnardi, Welsh singer
John Watkins (disambiguation)
Kit Watkins, American musician
Leonard Watkins, Welsh international rugby player
Matthew Watkins, Welsh rugby player
Maurice Watkins, American boxer
Maurine Dallas Watkins, American dramatist
Mel Watkins, Canadian economist
Melvin Watkins, American basketball coach
Michael Watkins, American Comic Book Artist
Michael W. Watkins, American celebrity
Michaela Watkins, American actress
Oscar Ferris Watkins, British colonial administrator
Peter Watkins, English film director
Ryan Watkins, Welsh cricketer
Roger Watkins, American film director
Sam. R. Watkins, American author and humorist
Sammy Watkins (disambiguation)
Sara Watkins, American musician
Sean Watkins, American guitarist
Sherron Watkins, American executive, Enron vice president
Sid Watkins, English surgeon and race doctor
Stuart Watkins, Welsh international rugby player
Tasker Watkins, Welsh soldier
Tionne Watkins, American singer
Torrance Watkins, American equestrian
Travis E. Watkins, American soldier
Tuc Watkins, American actor
Vernon Watkins, Welsh poet
Wes Watkins, American politician
William Watkins (disambiguation), any of several people
