Dilkes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Dilkes is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name meaning the son of Dilk. The surname was originally of Dutch origin and was brought into England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.

Early Origins of the Dilkes family

The surname Dilkes was first found in Warwickshire. "Maxstoke Castle is the property of Capt. Thomas Dilke, R.N., a descendant of Sir Thomas Dilke, who purchased it in the 41st of Elizabeth from Sir Thomas Egerton, keeper of the great seal: the buildings occupy an irregular quadrilateral area, inclosed by an embattled wall, and defended at the angles by octagonal towers, and are in a fine state of preservation." 1

Other early records of the family include: Geoffrey Dylle who was in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III), 2 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Alan Dille in Cambridgeshire and Robert Dille in Buckinghamshire. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, "Thomas dictus Dyll witnessed a charter by John Skinner, burgess of Inverness, c. 1360 and Marjorie dicta Dyll held land in Inuernys, 1361." 4

Early History of the Dilkes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dilkes research. Another 48 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1624, 1633, 1635, 1667, 1692 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Dilkes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dilkes Spelling Variations

Dilkes has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Dilkes have been found, including Dilke, Dilkes, Dilks, Dilley, Dill, Dillow and others.

Early Notables of the Dilkes family

Distinguished members of the family include

Sir Thomas Dilkes (1667?-1707), was a British Rear-Admiral, a lieutenant and commander under James II, was advanced to post rank in 1692 and appointed to the Adventure of 50 guns, in which he shared i...

Dilkes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Dilkes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Dilkes who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 3rd October 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Dilkes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dilkes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Dilkes, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867

Contemporary Notables of the name Dilkes (post 1700) +

Christopher Wentworth Dilkes (1913-1987), English writer
Emilia Lady Dilkes (1840-1904), English author, art historian, feminist and trade unionist
Roger Dilkes (b. 1948), English former football referee
Charles Wentworth Dilkes (1789-1864), English liberal critic and writer on literature
Ashton Wentworth Dilkes (1850-1883), British traveller and radical Liberal
Oswald Ashton Wentworth Dilkes (1915-1993), British classical scholar and philologist

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth