Cheeks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Cheeks come from its first bearer, who was a 'chick' or one with a prominent jaw. 1 2 One source notes that while this etymology is the more typical understanding of the name, we should consider that it may have been a Norman name originally as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae notes that "William Cecus occurs in Normandy 1198." 3

Early Origins of the Cheeks family

The surname Cheeks was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which included: Walter Chike, Oxfordshire. 4 Over in Somerset, Thomas Chike was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III.) 5

Early History of the Cheeks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cheeks research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1514, 1548, 1557, 1586, 1592, 1595, 1601, 1604, 1613, 1653, 1658 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Cheeks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cheeks Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Cheeks has been spelled many different ways, including Cheek, Cheeke, Cheeks, Cheke, Chick, Chicke and others.

Early Notables of the Cheeks family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John Cheek (1514-1557) English humanist, Secretary of State, tutor to Edward VI and supporter of the Reformation. His son, Henry Cheke (1548?-1586?), was an English translatorSir Thomas Cheek or Cheke (died 1659), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons (1604-1653)...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cheeks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cheeks Ranking

In the United States, the name Cheeks is the 6,093^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Cheeks family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Cheekss to arrive in North America: Phillip Cheeke who settled in Barbados in 1685; Henry Cheeke settled in Philadelphia in 1823; John Cheeke arrived in New York in 1823; George Cheek settled in Potomac Maryland in 1742..

Contemporary Notables of the name Cheeks (post 1700) +

Marsha G. Cheeks (b. 1956), American politician, Member of the Michigan House of Representatives (2002-)
Wardell Raymond Cheeks (b. 1980), known by his stage name Ray Cash, an American rapper
Donald Edward "Don" Cheeks (b. 1931), American politician, Member of the Georgia Senate (1992-2004)
Rev. Julius "June" Cheeks (1929-1981), American gospel singer, father of Judy Cheeks
Judy Cheeks (b. 1954), American singer and actress
Maurice Edward "Mo" Cheeks (b. 1956), American retired NBA basketball player and current assistant coach in the NBA
Raymond Cheeks, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 2004 7
Dansby Cheeks, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 7th District, 1982 7
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (b. 1945), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1979-96 (18th District 1979-82, 8th District 1983-92, 9th District 1993-96) 8

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html