Surname Wilcks - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wilcks: What does the surname Wilcks mean?
The surname Wilcks is derived from a Germanic personal name which was popular during the Middle Ages. The name, which became a family name, was originally derived from ‘wilca’ which means ‘sprout’ or ‘blade’. The meaning and origin of this name suggests that the Wilcks family may have had a past connection to farming or agriculture.
Throughout the centuries, Wilcks has become one of the most common surnames in Germany. It is one of the few names which still retain links to its pre-medieval origins. Although Wilcks is primarily of German origin, it has also spread to other countries, including Australia, England, Scotland and the United States.
Although there is no single meaning associated with the Wilcks surname, it is a proud part of many families’ heritage. It represents a connection to a unique past. It is a reminder of the days before industrialisation and globalisation, where the individual had more control over his or her own destiny. It is a reminder of a time when a family was bound together by tradition and loyalty, a time when the village or town was the heart of a community, and when a strong sense of family identity was paramount.
Order DNA origin analysisWilcks: Where does the name Wilcks come from?
The last name Wilcks is a Germanic last name, typically spelled Wilkes or Wilks. The last name is likely derived from the German name Wilke, which likely came from the pre-7th century name Willarich, which is a combination of the words “will”, meaning “will” or “desire”, and “rich”, meaning “ruler”.
Today, the name is most commonly found in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg. In the United Kingdom, this name is most common in England. In the United States, the states with the highest concentration of people with the last name Wilks are New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi.
The population of people with the surname Wilks has seen a dramatic increase since 1990 when the United States Census first identified it as a last name. According to the US Census, more than 74,000 American citizens had the last name Wilks in 2020. This makes it the 1693rd most common surname in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wilcks
The surname Wilcks (or Wilks) is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the German name ‘Wilhelm’ meaning ‘protector of the realm’. The surname Wilcks has been adopted in several different ways over the years, which are as follows:
Variants: Wilks, Wilkes, Wilkie, Wilkin, Wilker, Wilke, Wilkenson, Wilkens, Wilkenson, Wilkenssen, Wilken, Wilkerson, Wilcockson, Wilcken, Wilckens, Wilksson, Wilcox, Wilcos, Velick, Vellecks, Welke, Welck, Welcks, Wellks, Willcox, Willcocks, Wilksen, Wilkeks etc.
Spellings: Wilcks, Wylks, Wilkes, Wilkins, Wilks, Wilkerson, Wilkeson, Wilkerson, Wilkersen, Wilkison, Wilkieson etc.
Surnames: Wilcox, Wilcoxson, Wilkenson, Wilkens, Wilkison, Wilkerson, Wilkeson, Wilkes, Wilkisson, Wilk, Wilke, Wilkinson, Wilksson etc.
Many of the same surnames are also contained within the Dutch language, but are spelled differently. Examples include Wilckens, Wilckers, Wilk, Wilkens, Wielkens, Weilk, Wilckelen, Wilcars etc.
Overall, the surname Wilcks has been widely adopted in various spellings and variants. This is due to the use of pronunciation across different regions as well as religious backgrounds. It is also worth noting that many of these same spellings and variants are adopted for other Germanic surnames such as Wilger, Wilke and Wilken.
Famous people with the name Wilcks
- Dave Wilcks: Actor, stuntman, and martial artist best known for his work in The Poughkeepsie Tapes, Luv U Better, and LEVERAGE.
- Ralf Wilcks: German condor pilot and World War II flying ace who shot down 70 aircraft.
- Jonathan Wilcks: Former professional football player who spent six seasons in the NFL.
- Stephen Wilcks: Professional baseball umpire who has worked in both the minor league and Major League Baseball.
- Hunter Wilcks: Professional tennis player who has competed in numerous ATP World Tour tournaments.
- Donnie Wilcks: American reality television star best known for his appearance on the show, Survivor: Guatemala.
- Ray Wilcks: Singer-songwriter and guitarist from Seattle, Washington, whose original works have garnered him critical praise.
- Tim Wilcks: Actor who has appeared in the films Les Misérables and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
- Matt Wilcks: Digital artist and illustrator known for his work on several high-profile games, including Mafia III and Street Fighter V.
- Robert Wilcks: Award-winning director, writer and producer whose filmography includes Anne of Green Gables and Vespers.