There are two possible origins for this interesting name, the first is of medieval English origin and derives from Elias, the hebrew personal name which was very popular with the Crusaders of the eleventh and twelfth Century and is found in the modern form of Elkin (Elias and kin) or Helkin with the dialectual "H" both being patronymics and meaning "son of Elias" or "Little Elias". The second origin is from the German Heraldic surname, "Hilchen" and this may be found in Herman Hilken who married Sarah Katon at St. Dunstans, Stepney in 1827, whilst much earlier Jasper Helkin was christened at St. Andrews, London in 1551 in the reign of Edward VI, 1548 - 1554. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Christophar Hylkyn. which was dated 1540, who married Jane Hull at St. Michaels, London. during the reign of King Henry V111, known as Good King Hal, 1510 - 1548. 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.