Show ContentsPike History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Pike comes from when its first bearer worked as a person who made or worked with a pickaxe as a agricultural or excavating tool. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

The name may have been Norman in origin as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Radulphus and Ibert Pikes in Normandy (1180-1195.) 1

Early Origins of the Pike family

The surname Pike was first found in Devon where one of the first records of the family was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, namely Alunic, Alwinius Pic. 2 A few years later, Hugo Pik was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1177 and Robert le Pic was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1191. Henry Picke was listed in Assize Rolls or Worcestershire in 1221. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Walter Pik in Huntingdonshire and Richard Pik in Wiltshire. 4

Of note was John Pike, Pik or Pyke (fl. 1322), an English chronicler, master of the schools of St. Martin-le-Grand, London. 5

Early History of the Pike family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pike research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1625, 1635, 1653, 1692 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Pike History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pike Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Pike include Pike, Pyke and others.

Early Notables of the Pike family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Robert Pike (1616-1706), English-born settler to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 from Wiltshire, an opponent of the Salem witchcraft prosecutions of 1692 and the persecution of the Quakers for wh...
  • Richard Pike or Peake (fl. 1625), was an English adventurer from Tavistock, Devonshire who was taken prisoner in Caiz. Pike was sent to Xerez, and was brought before the Duke of Medina-Sidonia and oth...

Pike World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pike is the 1,138th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Pike is ranked the 856th most popular surname with an estimated 6,228 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Pike is the 22nd popular surname with an estimated 747 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Pike as 577th with 6,700 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Pike as 835th with 871 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Pike as 544th with 11,901 people. 11

Migration of the Pike family to Ireland

Some of the Pike family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Pike migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Pike or a variant listed above:

Pike Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Robert Pike, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 12
  • Mr. Michael Pike, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 12
  • John Pike, from Langford, who arrived in New England aboard the ship "James" in 1635, bound for Newbury 13
  • Dorothy and Robert Pike who, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635
  • Robert Pike, who landed in New England in 1635 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pike Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Pike, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1812 14
  • Benjamin Pike, aged 38, who landed in New York in 1812 14
  • James Pike, aged 16, who landed in Portsmouth, NH in 1831 14
  • Henry Walker Pike, who landed in Mississippi in 1852 14
  • Charles, Henry, John, and William Pike all, who arrived in Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pike migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pike Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Pike, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
  • Mr. Joshua Pike U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 15

Pike migration to Australia +

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

Pike Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Stephen Pike, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Theodore Pike, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Joseph Pike, (b. 1808), aged 21, English ploughman who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 14 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1886 18
  • John Pike, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. Henry Pike, English convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 3rd November 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pike Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • "Mrs. Mary Pike, (b. 1807), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 21

Pike 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:

Pike Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Janet Pike, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Miss Janet Pike, (b. 1821), aged 19, British servant travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 22
  • William Pike, aged 29, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 23
  • Elizabeth Pike, aged 31, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 23
  • Lucy Pike, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pike 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. 24
Pike Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Pike, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Pike (post 1700) +

  • Mark Harold Pike (1963-2021), American football linebacker, defensive end and special teamer who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Buffalo Bills (1986-1998)
  • David Samuel Pike (1938-2015), American jazz vibraphone and marimba player, known for his work with Herbie Mann, Bill Evans, Nick Brignola, Paul Bley and Kenny Clarke
  • Jay Scott Pike (1924-2015), American comic book artist and commercial illustrator, known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, creator of the DC character Dolphin
  • Lieutenant Colonel Emory Jenison Pike (1876-1918), United States Army officer during World War I, recipient of the Medal of Honor
  • Sumner Tucker Pike (1891-1976), American administrator, chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (1950)
  • Kenneth Lee Pike (b. 1912), American linguist, founder of tagmemics
  • Albert Pike (1809-1891), American Freemasonry reformer
  • Edward "Eddie" Pike (1940-2004), English deckhand and able seaman, he worked for the Bowring Steamship Company Ltd when the Transglobe Expedition was preparing, he took 3 years unpaid leave to join the expedition 1979-1982, he returned to shipping after working for the likes of Newbridge Shipping Company and P&O
  • Samuel Pike (1717-1773), English minister, a Sandemanian from Ramsey, Wiltshire
  • John Baxter Pike (1745-1811), English artisan family of old standing in Lavington, Wiltshire, father of John Deodatus Gregory Pike
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMAS Sydney II
HMS Hood
  • Mr. William A Pike (b. 1920), English Musician serving for the Royal Marine Band from Westbury, Wiltshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
HMS Royal Oak
  • Albert Charles Pike (1914-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. Alfred Pike (1879-1914), Newfoundlander from Carbonear who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
St. Francis Dam
  • Mr. Richard Earl Pike Sr., American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mrs. Felda Louella Pike, (nee Smith), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mr. Richard Allen Pike Jr., American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Harvey Lee Pike, American Electrician's Mate Third Class from Georgia, 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 29
  • Mr. Lewis Jackson Pike, American Seaman First Class from Georgia, 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 29
Victoria steamboat disaster


Suggested Readings for the name Pike +

  • Some Descendants of James Pike of Charlestown and Reading, Massachusetts by Ruth G. Pike.

  1. 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)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. 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)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. 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)
  15. 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
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  19. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  27. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  28. 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
  29. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook