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:
A. W. Watkins (1895–1970), English sound engineer
Aaron Watkins (golfer) (born 1982), American golfer
Aaron S. Watkins (1863–1941), American academic and politician
Alan Watkins (1933–2010), Welsh journalist
Alfred Watkins (1855–1935), English proponent of ley lines, pioneer photographer, author Alfred Ernest Watkins (1878–1957), Welsh footballer Ali Watkins (born 1992), American journalist Allan Watkins (1922–2011), Welsh cricketer Anna Watkins (born 1983), English rower Arthur Vivian Watkins (1886–1973), American politician Austin Watkins (born 1998), American football player Barry Watkins (1921–2004), Welsh footballer Ben Watkins, English musician Beverly Watkins (1939–2019), American blues guitarist Bill Watkins (disambiguation), several people Bob Watkins (born 1948), American baseball player Boyce Watkins (born 1971), American economist, academic and social commentator Breanna Watkins (born 1999), American stuntwoman/actress Bruce R. Watkins (1924–1980), American activist Calvert Watkins (1933–2013), American linguist Carlene Watkins (born 1952), American actress Carleton Watkins (1829–1916), American photographer Carlos Watkins (born 1993), American football player Charles Watkins (disambiguation), several people Charlie Watkins (footballer) (1921–1998), Scottish professional football player and manager Charlie Watkins (audio engineer) (1923–2014), British audio engineer Chloe Watkins (born 1992), Irish field hockey player Christine Watkins (born 1950), American politician Claire Vaye Watkins (born 1984), American author Craig Watkins (born 1967), American lawyer D. Watkins (born 1980), American author Daniel Watkins (businessman) (1918–1982), New Zealand businessman Danny Watkins (born 1984), American football player Darren Watkins Jr. (born 2005), known professionally as IShowSpeed, American YouTuber and streamer Darryl Watkins (born 1984), American basketball player David Watkins (disambiguation), also Dave Watkins, several people Dean Watkins, American engineer and candidate for Vice-President Derek Watkins (disambiguation), also Derrick Watkins, several people Diante Watkins (born 1990), American basketball player Doc Watkins (born 1981), American musician Doug Watkins (1934–1962), American jazz bassist Dudley D. Watkins (1907–1969), English comics artist and Desperate Dan creator Edgar Watkins (1887–1960), British gymnast Edward Watkins (disambiguation), several people Elwyn Watkins (born 1963), British politician Emily Watkins, British chef Emma Watkins (born 1989), Australian singer, actress, and dancer Enid Watkins (1890–1971), American singer and dancer Eric Watkins (1880–1949), New Zealand rugby footballer Ernest Watkins (1902–1982), Canadian politician Ernest Watkins (footballer, born 1878) (1878–1957), Welsh footballer Ernie Watkins (footballer, born 1898) (1898–1976), English footballer Evan Watkins (1882-1956), Welsh rugby footballer Elizabeth Watkins (1923-2012), English author Fenwick Watkins (1887–1943), American athlete and coach Frank Watkins (pilot) (1922–1942), Royal New Zealand Air Force officer Frederick Watkins (disambiguation), also Fred Watkins, several people George D. Watkins (born 1924), American physicist Geraint Watkins (born 1951), Welsh musician Gérard Watkins (born 1965), English actor Gino Watkins (1907–1932), British Arctic explorer Glenn Watkins (1927–2021), American musicologist Gloria Watkins (1952–2021), African-American writer known as bell hooks Gordon Watkins (1907–1974), American football player Gordon Samuel Watkins (1889–1970), American labor economist and university administrator Harry Watkins (disambiguation), several people Harvey Watkins (1869–1949), American baseball manager Harvey Watkins Jr. (born 1954), American musician Henry Watkins (disambiguation), several people Hugh Watkins (referee) (born 1963), Welsh rugby referee Hugh Christian Watkins (born 1959), English cardiologist Ian Watkins (disambiguation), several people Islwyn Watkins (1938–2018), Welsh artist J.