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 1,550
Agricultural Labourer 266
House Servant 132
Labourer 125
Coal Miner 108
Dress Maker 91
House Keeper 84
Servant 67
Cotton Weaver 66
General Servant 51
Carter 45
Laundress 43
Blacksmith 43
Tailor 39
Shoe Maker 35
Farmers Son 33
Wife Of Above 31
House Maid 30
Carpenter 28
Joiner 26
Butcher 25
Domestic Servant 25
Farm Labourer 24
Milliner 22
Farmer 22

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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