Banks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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, 1600, 1743, 1820, 1768, 1973, 1784, 1589, 1644, 1627, 1699, 1668, 1659, 1696, 1631, 1677, 1410, 1410, 1588, 1637, 1600, 1588 and 1598 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 (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society; William Bankes, High Sheriff of Lancaster, 1784; Sir John Bankes (1589-1644), Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas to Charles I, who held a family seat at Corfe Castle in Dorset; Sir John Banks, 1st Baronet FRS (1627-1699), an English merchant and politician, one of the wealthiest merchants in London, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1668; and his son, Caleb Banks (1659-1696), an English politician; and Sir Ralph Bankes (1631-1677), MP for Corfe, responsible for the building of the new family seat at Kingston Lacy. Richard Banke… 
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Banks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Banks World Ranking

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

• John Banks, who landed in Virginia in 1620 [9]
• Miles Banks, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 [9]
• Edward Banks, who settled in Virginia in 1623
• Francis Banks, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “Gift” [9]
• George Banks, who landed in Virginia in 1624 [9]

Banks Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Andrew Banks, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [9]
• Isabell Banks, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [9]
• John Banks, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [9]
• Martha Banks, who landed in Virginia in 1720 [9]
• Elizabeth Banks, who arrived in Carolina in 1724 [9]