Banks Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Banks Name Meaning: From the Old English word 'banke' & given to people who lived by a hillside

The 's' was added after the main period of surname formation, probably as a patronymic form. Records from the 1200s show a Bankes family seat in Craven, Yorkshire

Discover how your Banks ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Banks Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Banks family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 286
Female Servant 261
Independent 197
Male Servant 121
Farmer 119
Labourer 107
Shoe Maker 56
Weaver 49
Tailor 48
Cotton Weaver 46
Dress Maker 36
Blacksmith 33
Carpenter 25
Coal Miner 25
Lab 25
Ag Lab 25
Pauper 23
Miner 23
Pupil 22
Mariner 21
Joiner 21
Publican 20
Collier 20
Servant 19
Apprentice 18

Banks Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Banks 100% 99,494
2 Binks 80% 12,410
3 Bankes 83% 1,654
4 Bancks 83% 722
5 Benks 80% 199
6 Bunks 80% 189

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The surname Banks is the most popular version of all its varients

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