Question

these are distant grandparents so............i am thinking england but just started the search myself

Answer 1

Did not find the parents of Matthew Hawkins at familysearch.org, but his wife's father, per WikiTree profile, has German ancestors. Here's info on the Hawkins surname origin:

Hawkins

Amongst the long list of British naval heroes, the names of Sir John Hawkins and Lord Hawkins (no relation), the conquerors with Sir Francis Drake of the 1588 Spanish Armada, stand almost supreme. The name itself, deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Hafoc" meaning "Hawk", is descriptive for one who possessed that bird's ferocious instincts. The name, as a personal name without a surname is recorded in the spelling of "Havok" in the Domesday Book of 1086, compiled by William the Conqueror. In the spelling form as Hawkins, the name is a double diminutive or patronymic which translates as "the son(s) of the son (kin) of the Hawk". The surname as "Hawk" is very early, being first recorded in 1176, when Roger Havech appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Dover, Kent; as "Hawkin" the first recording is that of Roger Havekin in the Essex Rolls of 1298; and as Hawkyns, the medieval spelling, the name is recorded in the early 14th Century (see below), whilst Agnes Hawkins, who married Roger Carpinter (as spelt) at St. Peter Westcheap, London, on August 4th 1560, is an early example of the "modern" spelling. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margery Haukyns, which was dated 1327, in the "Subsidy Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research www.surnamedb.com 1980 - 2015

 

Answer 2

You may find this source to be helpful: (also, his profile is now linked to his father & grandfather)

From “The Yowell Family from England to Virginia to Kansas” by

Betty C Baldwin, Austin, Texas  1983-1988 Page 16-17

 

            Matthew Hawkins, was the son of Benjamin Hawkins who was born about 1734-40 and his first wife.  Benjamin came to Culpeper from Orange Co in 1774 when he purchased 403 acres of land from Alexander Spotswood. In 1776 he bought 100 acres from Michael & Mary Wilhoite, parents of Nancy Anne Wilhoite, who became the wife of his son, Matthew.  Benjamin & his wife had  two sons and 2 daughters.  His will is recorded in Culpeper Co 1793, in which he named his oldest son Matthew, and children of his second arriage to Judith _____. Matthew married Nancy (Ann) Wilhoite, daughter of Michael and Mary (Ballenger) Wilhoite.  Matthew’s Will was probated 1821 in Culpeper Co.  Nancy died Rappahanock VA 26 Jul 1837.  Matthew left 4 slaves and in the court papers pertaining to their disposal, Semphronia was named as  Semphronia Yowell, formerly Hawkins.  When her Father died she was  married so was not named as an “orphan” as were 4 of the children.  Matthew and Ann had 8 children: William; Evaline; John, James, Benjamin; Almira Jane, Archibald; Semphronia and Cecilia.  James Hawkins is  buried in Marion co, IA along with  William and  Semphronia.