WILKS
Wilks
Wilks is a surname of English origin that is derived from the medieval given name Wilk, itself a diminutive of the name William. The name Wilks is primarily found in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions of English descent.
Origin and Meaning
The surname Wilks is a patronymic name, meaning "son of Wilk" or "son of William". The name William is of Old German origin, derived from the elements "wil", meaning desire, and "helm", meaning helmet or protection.
Distribution
The surname Wilks is most prevalent in England, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The name is also found in lower concentrations in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Individuals
- Andrew Wilks: a British journalist known for his work in investigative reporting.
- Elsie Wilks: a prominent British artist known for her landscape paintings.
Variants
Variants of the surname Wilks include Wilkes, Wilke, and Wilkins.
References
- Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
There are approximately 6,146 people named Wilks in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,542nd most common surname in Britain. Around 94 in a million people in Britain are named Wilks.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gemma
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.