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 politicianAlan Watkins, Welsh journalistAlfred Watkins, English proponent of ley lines, pioneer photographer, authorAllan Watkins, Welsh cricketerAnna Watkins, English rower.Arthur Vivian Watkins, American politicianBarry Watkins (full name Randall Burnell Watkins), Welsh footballerBen Watkins, English musicianBeverly Watkins ("Guitar" Watkins), American blues guitaristBill Watkins (disambiguation), any of several peopleBob Watkins, American baseball playerCalvert Watkins, American linguistCarleton Watkins, American photographerCharles F. Watkins, American physician, surgeon, physiotherapist, athlete, and coachCharles James Watkins (1846–1906), English entomologistCharlie Watkins, Scottish professional football player and managerDavid Watkins (disambiguation)Dean Watkins, American engineer and candidate for Vice-PresidentDiante Watkins, American basketball playerDoug Watkins, American jazz bassistDudley D. Watkins, English comics artist and Desperate Dan creatorEnid Watkins (1890–1971), American singer and dancerFrank Watkins, WWII RNZAF pilotFred Watkins, Welsh footballerGary Watkins, American politicianGeorge D. Watkins (born 1924), American physicistGloria Watkins, African-American writer known as bell hooksHugh Watkins (referee) (born 1963), Welsh rugby refereeHugh Christian Watkins (born 1959), English professor of cardiologyIan Watkins (disambiguation)J. Elfreth Watkins, American engineerJames Watkins, English film directorJames D. Watkins, American admiral and Energy SecretaryJason Watkins (actor), British actorJenny Watkins-Isnardi, Welsh singerJohn Watkins (disambiguation)Kit Watkins, American musicianLeonard Watkins, Welsh international rugby playerMatthew Watkins, Welsh rugby playerMaurice Watkins, American boxerMaurine Dallas Watkins, American dramatistMel Watkins, Canadian economistMelvin Watkins, American basketball coachMichael Watkins, American Comic Book ArtistMichael W. Watkins, American celebrityMichaela Watkins, American actressOscar Ferris Watkins, British colonial administratorPeter Watkins, English film directorRyan Watkins, Welsh cricketerRoger Watkins, American film directorSam. R. Watkins, American author and humoristSammy Watkins (disambiguation)Sara Watkins, American musicianSean Watkins, American guitaristSherron Watkins, American executive, Enron vice presidentSid Watkins, English surgeon and race doctorStuart Watkins, Welsh international rugby playerTasker Watkins, Welsh soldierTionne Watkins, American singerTorrance Watkins, American equestrianTravis E. Watkins, American soldierTuc Watkins, American actorVernon Watkins, Welsh poetWes Watkins, American politicianWilliam Watkins (disambiguation), any of several people