Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
HANKS
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
A nurse-name, or an abbreviation of John, the "a" being added for "son;" so "Sims," and "Gibbs," etc.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
HANKS. See Hankin.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English