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 2,736
Coal Miner 236
Agricultural Labourer 189
Cotton Weaver 153
Domestic Servant 133
Dress Maker 125
General Labourer 104
Labourer 103
General Servant 96
Farm Labourer 60
House Keeper 56
Annuitant 54
Laundress 54
Carpenter 46
No Occupation 46
Charwoman 43
General Servant Domestic 43
Shoe Maker 42
Joiner 41
Servant 38
Tailor 37
Farm Servant Indoor 37
Butcher 36
Gardener 30
Farmers Son 29

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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