Surname Sikes - Meaning and Origin

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As someone bearing the surname Sikes, I embarked on an enlightening journey with iGENEA's DNA analysis. More than discovering my genetic background, I gained a vibrant map of my ancestors' global journey, traced the origins of the Sikes lineage from Northern England, and delved deep into unique health markers. The test enriched my connection with my roots, offering a precious blend of science, history, and self-discovery.

S. Sikes

Sikes: What does the surname Sikes mean?

The surname Sikes is of English origin and traces back to the medieval times. It is derived from the Old Norse word 'sik', meaning a small stream or gully. Its English equivalent is 'syke'. The name Sikes was typically given to individuals who lived close to such geographical features. Originally, surnames were developed in several societies as a means to distinguish individuals with the same personal or first name. These began to be used regularly around the 12th century and were often derived from a person's occupation, place of residence, or characteristics. Therefore, Sikes can be viewed as an example of a topographic surname, reflecting the medieval tradition of assigning names based on one's residence or occupation. Notable people with this surname include Austin Sykes, an English cricketer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Wanda Hendrix, an American film and television actress, who was born Dixie Wanda Hendrix but was billed as Wanda Sykes in her early career.

Sikes: Where does the name Sikes come from?

The last name Sikes is an English surname with Anglo-Saxon roots, derived from the pre-7th Century Olde English "Sige" and "Syke". The name refers to someone who lived by a bog or river.

The last name Sikes is most commonly found in countries such as England, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In England, there is a strong presence in the Yorkshire and East Anglia regions, as well as in the West Midlands.

In the United States, the last name Sikes is most common in the Southern states, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina, where it is among the top 1,000 surnames. It is also commonly found in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Florida.

In Canada, the name is found primarily in the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan. In Australia and New Zealand, the name is, unsurprisingly, most common in regions with a strong British influence including Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

In modern times, the surname Sikes is still regularly used by English-speaking countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Sikes

The surname Sikes is of English and Scottish origin and can be spelled in numerous ways including Sikes, Sykes, Sics, Syckes, Siquess, Siks and Sikkes.

Sikes is likely a topographic surname derived from the Southwest England name 'Sissic', referring to a person who resided near a conspicuous tree. It can be found in various ancient documents like as 'Sikes' in the 1086 Domesday Book, 'Syk' in the 12th century, and 'Sykes' in the 13th century, showing the numerous variations of the modern surname Sikes.

In England, the name is most common in the counties of Kent, Devon, Northamptonshire and Norfolk. It can be found in records of the 16th century in Scotland, but mostly in the North and East of the country in Ayrshire, Angus, Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Additionally, other forms of Sikes could exist. For example, in France, the name could be spelled as Sique, while in Germany as Sikke or Zyke, and in The Netherlands Zyk and Sikke.

Surnames that derive from Sikes have developed over the different countries, languages and even centuries. Variations of the Sikes surname include, but are not limited to: SIKES/SYKES, SIQUE, SYCKES, SIKKE, Srunia, Schassing, SIGMON, SYKSSON, SEECKS, SAYKES, SICAKS.

All these surnames are derived from the same Sikes origins and spellings and each have slightly different meanings and forms of the name. It is important to consider all spelling variations when searching through genealogy records and family trees.

Famous people with the name Sikes

• Devin Sikes: former Major League Baseball player
• Dick Sikes: legendary blues guitarist
• Robin Sikes: country music singer
• Shelby Sikes: former NFL defensive end
• D.W. Sikes: 19th-century US Congressman
• Steven Sikes: Commodore US Navy
• Sarah Sikes: Grammy Award-winning flautist
• Abigail M. Sikes: American poet, lyricist, and singer
• Julian Sikes: recorder and flautist
• Howard Sikes: professional painter and interior designer

Other surnames

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