Surname Vikers - Meaning and Origin

Vikers: What does the surname Vikers mean?

The surname Vickers is of English origin and is an occupational name derived from "vicar". In the Middle Ages, a vicar was a priest who acted as a representative, specifically, one who performed the duties of another. This is encapsulated in the Latin phrase "vicarius", meaning "substitute" or "deputy". In this case, the name Vickers was often given to the servant of a vicar or perhaps someone who played the role of a vicar in a folk play. Over time, it became a hereditary surname. This name made its way to various countries, including Scotland and Ireland, in altered forms due to regional linguistic nuances. It's important to note that the meaning and origin of a surname can greatly vary and change over time, thus the information should be taken as a general insight rather than absolute fact.

Vikers: Where does the name Vikers come from?

The last name Vikers is most commonly found in the United States and Canada today. The majority of Vikers are found in the United States, primarily concentrated in the Midwest, particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Within Minnesota, the name is most concentrated in Pine, Anoka and Washington counties. In Canada, the last name is primarily found in British Columbia, but can also be found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The last name Vikers is believed to have first entered the US from Scandinavian countries. Specifically, historians believe that the name originated in Sweden and moved to America through the voyage of Swedish immigrants. While its exact origin is unclear, it is believed to stem from the Scandinavian word “Vik,” which means inlet or bay, and the suffix “er,” which was commonly used to create surnames.

Today, there are distressingly few records that mention the last name, but it’s believed to be an uncommon one; only a select few families still bear the name. That said, Vikers descendants might be spread far and wide, since the name has been in the United States for centuries and has had plenty of time to spread from its original point of entry.

Variations of the surname Vikers

The surname Vikers is derived from an old Anglicized spelling of the Viking or Vikingr name.The surname is also found in different spelling variations including Vickers, Vicker, Vyker, Vykers, Vyckers, Viker, Vikar, Vicar, Wickar and Wycker.

Vickers is the most common spelling and can be found in many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia. This spelling appears to be well-established in England, with over 450 occurrences in the 1881 UK census.

Viker is an alternate spelling of Vickers which is found in the Netherlands and in Germany, with the spelling also being found in Belgium and Switzerland.

Vykers and Vyckers is a spelling which is found mainly in England, particularly in Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, and Lancashire and is believed to be derived from Wicker or Wickers, a variation of Vickers.

Vi-kar is a spelling found mostly in the United States of America and Canada, and is likely a result of immigration. This spelling is thought to have originated from the original German spelling Vikar or in some cases Wickar.

The last two variations, Wickar and Wycker are spellings which are quite rare and are only found in the United States. These variations are thought to be a result of immigration with the name being passed down through generations.

Famous people with the name Vikers

• Troye Sivan: Australian actor, singer, songwriter, and YouTuber.
• Erin Vickers: Former Miss Utah USA and current professional plus-size model.
• Matthew Vickers: Professional cyclist participating in the Tour of Qatar.
• David Vickers: Founding editor of Australian newspaper, The Age.
• Gary Vickers: Former NASCAR driver and team owner.
• Jock Vickers: Australian rules football player in the Victorian Football League.
• Karl Vickers: Former Cystic Fibrosis Australia president and Australia Day ambassador.
• Alan Vickers: British artist and sculptor.
• Dominique Vickers: Professional dancer, choreographer, and television presenter.
• Cathy Vickers: Professional poker player.

Other surnames

VikerVikery