The surname Akin is one of remote Scottish
origin.
As a surname, the first recorded appearance of it's use occurs in the
year 1405, when "John of Akyne", a Scottish merchant, petitioned the
court for the return of his ship and goods, which had been illegally
seized in England. It also occurs in the early records of Scotland,
where the surname is shown to have undergone a variety of transformations
in spelling, accounting for the many forms of the name seen today.
(Ackin, Eckin, Ackyne, Aykkyne, Aiken, Akin). After many immigrants
settled into Ireland's Northern province of Ulster, more variations in
spelling occured. (Eakins, Eakin, Ekin, Egan). Heavy taxation and
religious persecution caused many immigrants to flee to America in
search of new beginnings. First occuring as a
place name, Akin is found in the West Coast of Scotland, on the Hebridean
Isle of Skye.
The Isle of Skye is located on the western coast of Scotland. It has become one of the most popular tourist sites among the Scottish islands, made famous by romantic tales of it's mountains, mist, sea lochs, and castles. The island is rich in legends and famed for its hospitality.
During the first millenium BC, Celtic settlements began to establish themselves and signs of their culture, including impressive castles and brochs (distinctively Scottish defense structures) are still evident today.
The Vikings, driven from their own lands by overpopulation, invaded Skye around the eighth century, and a period of unrest lasting several centuries was started. Under the rule of Somerled, the first Celtic Lord of the Isles, and his descendants, Skye maintained its independence from the Scottish kings until defeat by Alexander III, at the Battle of the Largs, which took place in 1263. This ended the Norse power on the island, but not the unrest.
Under the rule of the Lords of the Isles, battles persisted until the end of the fifteenth century, when their power was broken by James IV. James V's reign brought a short-lived peace, but clan battles did not die down until well into the seventeenth century.
After the Battle of Culloden, around 1746 when Prince Charlie Stuart was a fugitive in hiding, he was brought by Flora MacDonald from Benbecula to Skye, disguised as her woman servant. Flora is buried on the island near Flodigarry, and a monument is erected in her honor at the site.
Portree, meaning "King's Port", is the capitol of Skye, and is located on the east coast of the island. This name dates back from a visit of James V. Kyleakin is located across from Lochalsh. The narrow strait between the two is the shortest distance from the island to the mainland of Scotland. There is a thriving ferry operation there, that was in existence as early as 1841. The ruins of Castle Moil are visible from the ferry. Castle Moil is said to be connected to the heritage of the Akins & MacKinnon Clans.
"The Isle of Skye" tourist booklet, by The Isle of Skye and South West Ross Tourist Information Centre, and "Scotland's Heritage", a pictorial journey through Scotland, by Lawrence Stenhouse, were used as sources for the above information on the Isle of Skye.
This area is home to the
Skye Village of Kyle Akin, from
the Gaelic Caol Acain, meaning "Straight of Hakon" in the native Celtic
language of the Scottish people.
