Banks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The origins of the Banks name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived close to a slope, or a hillside. The surname is derived from the Old English word banke. 1

Early Origins of the Banks family

The surname Banks was first found in various counties and shires throughout Britain. One of the first on record was Simon Bankes of Bank Newton in Craven, Yorkshire c. 1200. Walter del Banck was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1297 and Metthew Banke was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Nicholas del Bancke; Adam del Bank; and Magota de Bancke. 2

One branch of the family was found at Winstanley in Lancashire from early times. "In the reign of James I., the manor belonged to James Bancks, a descendant of the Bankes, of Bank Newton, in Craven; in whose family the property continued until about 1731, when, by marriage with the heiress of William Bankes, it passed to the family of Holme, who eventually changed their name to Bankes. Winstanley Hall, existing in the 16th century, is the seat of the Bankes family, and stands in a spacious and delightful park: it has been lately re-edified and improved." 3

Early History of the Banks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Banks research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1410, 1560, 1580, 1586, 1588, 1589, 1590, 1598, 1600, 1606, 1627, 1631, 1637, 1644, 1659, 1668, 1677, 1696, 1699, 1743, 1768, 1784, 1820 and 1973 are included under the topic Early Banks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Banks Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Banks were recorded, including Banke, Banck, Bancks, Banckes, Banks, Bankes and others.

Early Notables of the Banks family

Distinguished members of the family include

Banks World Ranking

In the United States, the name Banks is the 215th most popular surname with an estimated 119,376 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Banks is ranked the 875th most popular surname with an estimated 6,092 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Banks is the 387th popular surname with an estimated 9,553 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Banks as 335th with 1,884 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Banks as 277th with 22,030 people. 8


Banks migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Banks family emigrate to North America:

Banks Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Banks Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Banks Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Banks Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Banks migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Banks Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Banks Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Banks migration to Australia +

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

Banks Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Banks 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:

Banks Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Banks Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Banks migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Banks Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Banks (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Banks +
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