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
Scholar 1,155
Agricultural Labourer 244
House Servant 174
At Home 148
Labourer 115
Coal Miner 93
Dress Maker 78
Farm Labourer 73
Servant 68
Tailor 59
Laundress 52
Annuitant 51
General Servant 50
House Keeper 48
Blacksmith 43
Farmers Son 37
Errand Boy 36
Butcher 31
Shoe Maker 28
Farm Servant 27
Farmers Wife 27
Gardener 27
Milliner 23
Nurse 23
Hand Loom Weaver Cotton 23

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

Did you know?

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

Search for the Banks family