Sykes Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Sykes Name Meaning: Name given to a person who lived by a stream or marsh. From Middle English 'syke' meaning marshy stream or damp gully.

Also believed to derive from Sikes-Dyke in Carlisle, Cumberland, possibly before the Norman Conquest.

Discover how your Sykes 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

Sykes Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Sykes family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,945
Woollen Weaver 289
Cotton Weaver 124
Coal Miner 122
Dress Maker 99
Labourer 97
House Keeper 91
Agricultural Labourer 86
General Servant 60
Domestic Servant 59
Joiner 58
Stone Mason 51
Worsted Weaver 46
Woollen Spinner 45
Woolen Weaver 41
Weaver 39
Mill Hand 39
Annuitant 38
Servant 36
Farm Labourer 35
Cotton Spinner 35
Cotton Piecer 34
Cloth Dresser 33
Blacksmith 32
Cotton Operative 31

Sykes Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Sykes 100% 98,267
2 Sikes 80% 889

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

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