Contents [hide]

Hicks History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Hicks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the name Hicks are from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the son of Richard. 1 In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Hicks family

The surname Hicks was first found in Yorkshire, where one of the first records of the name was found as a forename as Hikke de Sauteby who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 1 "The chancel [of Low Leyton in Essex] contains some elegant monuments of the family of Hickes." 2

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times. Today we typically need to look beyond the spellings of these entries and concentrate on the phonetic appreciation of the names. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Hikke de Sauteby; Johanna Hickson; Henricas Hikson; Willelmus Hykson. 1

Again in Yorkshire, Richard Hick was registered there in the Subsidy Rolls for 1302 and later, William Hickys was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 3

Much farther to the south in the parish of St. Ewe in Cornwall, another branch of the family was found. "The manor of Tregain belonged formerly to an ancient family of the same name: in which place they resided until they removed to Golden in Probus; after which it was forfeited in the reign of Elizabeth. When the manor was dismembered, the barton became the property of Hicks, who possessed also the barton of Trevithick in this parish. At this latter place a mansion was erected by this family, in which they continued to reside until the death of John Hicks, Esquire, in 1734, in whom this branch of the family ended." 4

Early History of the Hicks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hicks research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1551, 1596, 1612, 1619, 1620, 1621, 1628, 1629, 1642, 1680, 1715 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hicks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hicks Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hicks family name include Hicks, Hickes, Hick, Hix and others.

Early Notables of the Hicks family

Notables of the family at this time include

Baptist Hicks, 1st Viscount Campden (1551-1629), an English textile merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1628
Michael Hicks (1543-1612), an English courtier and politician, Secretary to Lord Burghley
Sir William Hicks, 1st Baronet (1596-1680), of Beverston, in Gloucestershire, and of Ruckholt, in Essex, an English Member of Parliament

Hicks World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hicks is the 131^st most popular surname with an estimated 171,603 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Hicks is ranked the 459^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,429 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hicks is the 85^th popular surname with an estimated 344 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Hicks as 285^th with 12,331 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Hicks as 592^nd with 1,212 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Hicks as 368^th with 17,035 people. 10

Migration of the Hicks family to Ireland

Some of the Hicks family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hicks migration to the United States +

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Hicks surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Hicks Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Hicks, from Surrey, who arrived in Plymouth in 1621 aboard the "Fortune"
Margaret Winslow Hicks, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622 11
Mrs. Margaret Hicks, (Hickes) who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 11
Mr. Samuel Hicks, (Hickes), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
Miss Lydia Hicks, (Hickes), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hicks Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Chr Hicks, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 11
Mary Hicks, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 11

Hicks Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Phinley Hicks, who arrived in America in 1810 11
Arch Hicks, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 11
Maurice Hicks, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 11
John Hicks, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 11
Mr. Charles Hicks, (b. 1820), aged 20, Cornish farmer departing from Bristol aboard the ship "Druid" arriving in Ohio, USA on 29 June 1840 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hicks Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Mastick Hicks, (b. 1889), aged 11, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th September 1900 en route to Montclair, New Jersey, USA 14
Mr. Elijah Hicks, (b. 1862), aged 38, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th January 1900 en route to New York, USA 14
Mrs. Grace Hicks, (b. 1832), aged 68, American returning from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th September 1900 en route to Montclair, New Jersey, USA 14
Miss Edith Hicks, (b. 1881), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st August 1901 en route to the United States 14
Mr. George Hicks, (b. 1842), aged 59, Cornish farmer from St. Stephen, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th August 1901 en route to Washington, USA 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hicks migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hicks Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Geo Hicks, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Hicks, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
Benj Hicks, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
Mr. Benjamin Hicks U.E. who settled in Marysburgh [Prince Edward County], Ontario c. 1784 15
Mr. Edward Hicks U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hicks migration to Australia +

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

Hicks Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Hicks, British Convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Hicks, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Francis Hicks, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Richard Hicks, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. Joseph Hicks, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hicks 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:

Hicks Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Hicks, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Charles Hicks, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Thomas Hicks, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
F D Hicks, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842
Francis Hicks, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "William Watson" in 1859
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hicks (post 1700) +

John Braxton Hicks (1823-1897), English doctor who specialised in obstetrics, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1862, best known for identifying Braxton Hicks contractions or false labour
William Joseph "Joe" Hicks (1932-2023), American Major League Baseball player who appeared in 212 games played in over all or parts of five seasons as an outfielder and pitch hitter for the Chicago White Sox (1959–60), Washington Senators (1961–62) and New York Mets (1963)
Marva Hicks (d. 2022), American R&B singer and actress, best known for her single "Never Been in Love Before"
Joe R. Hicks (1941-2016), American political commentator and community activist
Dan Hicks (1951-2020), American actor, best known for starring roles in Evil Dead II, Darkman and Intruder
John Charles Hicks Jr. (1951-2016), American NFL football offensive lineman, inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame
Daniel Ivan Hicks (1941-2016), American singer-songwriter
Thomas Hicks (1875-1963), American Olympic gold medalist for marathon at the 1904 Summer Games
Thomas John Hicks (b. 1876), American gold medalist track and field athlete at the 1904 Summer Olympics
Thomas A. Hicks (1918-1992), American bronze medalist bobsledder at the 1948 Winter Olympics
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hicks family +

Hillsborough disaster

Victoria Janes Hicks (1973-1989), English schoolgirl who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and she died from her injuries 21
Sarah Louise Hicks (1970-1989), English student who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 21

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. John Hicks, British Leading Writer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 22
Mr. Jack Hicks, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 22

HMS Royal Oak

Albert Edward Hicks (d. 1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Robert Hicks (b. 1875), Newfoundlander from Doting Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
Mr. Thomas Hicks (1866-1914), Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

USS Arizona

Mr. Ralph Dueard Hicks, American Painter Second Class from Missouri, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
Mr. Elmer Orville Hicks, American Gunner's Mate Third Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24

The Hicks Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tout en bon heure
Motto Translation: All in good time.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html