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 1,999
Agricultural Labourer 214
Labourer 186
Coal Miner 131
Domestic Servant 110
Cotton Weaver 100
General Servant 95
House Keeper 90
Dress Maker 73
Annuitant 58
Servant 58
Laundress 51
Carpenter 44
Farm Labourer 38
Joiner 38
Tailor 36
Farm Servant 35
Shoe Maker 34
Blacksmith 33
Cook 32
General Servant Domestic 31
Butcher 28
Nurse 27
Grocer 26
Charwoman 26

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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