Rowan Atkinson

Atkinson in 2011, image via magicinfoto/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Rowan Sebastian Atkinson

Place of Birth: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, U.K.

Date of Birth: 6 January, 1955

Ethnicity: English, as well as possibly one eighth Irish

Rowan Atkinson is an English actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for his Mr. Bean character. He has also been featured in Not the Nine O’Clock News, Blackadder, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Lion King, Johnny English, and Love Actually, among many other works.

He is the son of Ella May (Bainbridge) and Eric Atkinson, who was a farmer and company director. His brother, Rodney Atkinson, is a eurosceptic conservative academic, economist, and political commentator. Rowan has two children with his former wife Sunetra Sastry; and one child with his partner, comedian and actress Louise Ford.

Rowan’s paternal grandfather was Edward Atkinson (the son of William John Atkinson and Mary Ann Brannon). Edward was born in Spennymoor, Durham. William was the son of George Atkinson and Esther Ann Salmond. He was a coal miner. Marry Ann likely had Irish ancestry.

Rowan’s paternal grandmother was named Edith Browell (the daughter of William Browell and Elizabeth). Edith was born in Lanchester, Durham, England.

Rowan’s maternal grandfather was named Frank Bainbridge.

Rowan’s maternal grandmother was Ella Schofield (the daughter of George Schofield and Ada Hopkinson). Ella was born in Yorkshire. George was the son of George Schofield and Emma Harrison/Raw. Ada was the daughter of Joseph Hopkinson and Sarah Gregory.

Sources: Family history of Rowan Atkinson – http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Genealogy of Rowan Atkinson – https://www.geni.com

Rowan’s paternal grandfather, Edward Atkinson, on the 1891 England and Wales Census – https://www.familysearch.org