Family name origins & meanings
- English (also found in Wales) : patronymic from the Middle English personal name Jenk, a back-formation from Jenkin with the removal of the supposed Anglo-Norman French diminutive suffix -in.
- Joseph Jenks (1602–83), the descendant of an old Welsh family, was born in England and traveled to Saugus, near Lynn, MA, in 1642 to assist in the development of America’s first iron works. His son, Joseph Jenckes (sic), followed in 1650, founded Pawtucket, RI, and raised four sons who held places of respect and distinction in RI, including one who served as governor for five years.