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 2,846
Woollen Weaver 310
Coal Miner 180
Dress Maker 110
Cotton Weaver 106
General Labourer 81
Cotton Piecer 81
Domestic Servant 80
Agricultural Labourer 76
Worsted Weaver 69
Joiner 62
Annuitant 60
House Keeper 53
Labourer 50
Stone Mason 45
General Servant 43
Woollen Piecer 43
Woollen Spinner 38
Cotton Spinner 37
Butcher 32
Laundress 32
Cotton Reeler 32
Farm Labourer 32
General Servant Domestic 31
Grocer 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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