Surname Banks - Meaning and Origin

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C. Banks

Banks: What does the surname Banks mean?

The last name "Banks" originated from Old English and is considered a topographic surname. It was typically given to someone who lived on the slopes of a hillside or riverbank. The name originates from the Middle English term “banke” that was derived from the Old Danish “banke” mean a ridge or hillside. During the period, last names were often associated with a person's home location or occupation. So, the individuals with the Banks surname likely lived or worked near a hill or a river bank. Over the centuries, surname usage developed and became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, maintaining the family identity across generations. Today, Banks is a common surname in England and the United States. Celebrities like Tyra Banks and Azealia Banks, as well as various places and organizations worldwide, share the name. It's important to note that while this is a common interpretation of the name, family names' meanings can also be influenced by the specific ancestral and cultural context from which they originate.

Banks: Where does the name Banks come from?

The surname Banks is of English and Scottish origin deriving from Middle English word "banke" meaning "hillside or riverbank". It was typically given as a topographic name for someone who lived on the slope of a hillside or by a riverbank. The surname was first found in various locales in England including Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Cumbria.

Also, in some cases, it may derive from a house sign showing the image of a bank; house signs were used before house numbers to identify dwellings.

Today, Banks is a common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to the 2000 United States Census, Banks is the 228th most common surname in the country. Famous people with the surname Banks include American model and actress Tyra Banks, English footballer Gordon Banks, and English novelist Iain Banks.

Variations of the surname Banks

The surname Banks has been derived from Old English and Middle English terms, particularly "banke" which was used to refer to someone who lived by a slope or a hillside. Variations and spellings of this name over the centuries have included Bank, Bankes, Banke, Banker, Banck, Bancks, Banckes, Bance, Bances.

The surname is also found in slight variations across different regions and languages. For example, in German, it could be found as Bank, Banke, Banken, Banker. It's used as Banki and Banky in Hungarian. In Dutch and Belgian, it is commonly spelled as Banck or Bancke.

Certain variations may also come from the use of prefixes or suffixes, depending on local traditions or dialects. For instance, you may find O'Bank or McBanks in an Irish context.

Another common way of variation is by making the name possessive, or connecting it to a place or occupation, such as Bank's, Bankes', Banks', Bankson, Bankston, or Bankman. These all stem from the same root surname, representing the same original meaning, but have morphed slightly over time and through generations.

Famous people with the name Banks

• Tyra Banks: An American television personality, producer, businesswoman, actress, and former model. She created and presented America's Next Top Model.
• Erin Banks: A New Zealand actress known for roles in television series like "The Almighty Johnsons" and "Spartacus."
• Antonio Banks: Known as A.J. Banks, he is an American politician currently serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
• Elizabeth Banks: An American actress, director, and producer known for her roles in films like The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect.
• Willie Banks: An American athlete specialized in triple jump. He held the world record for this category in 1985.
• Jonathan Banks: An American actor known for his roles in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul.
• Lloyd Banks: An American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit founded by 50 Cent.
• Russell Banks: An American writer known for his novels, which include Continental Drift and The Sweet Hereafter.
• Sasha Banks, a famous WWE wrestler and a former RAW Women's Champion.
• Tony Banks, a British musician, songwriter and founding member of the band Genesis.
• Azealia Banks: She is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.

Other surnames

BankendBankesBankheadBankheedBankheidBankoffBankowskiBankrathBankratzBankrothBanksonBankstonBankstone