Surname Bankhead - Meaning and Origin

Bankhead: What does the surname Bankhead mean?

The surname Bankhead is of English and Scottish origin, and it is an occupational name for someone who works or worked at a bank. It is derived from the Middle English term banchede, which was a type of headdress. The original bearer of this surname might have been a banker, someone who worked in a financial institution and was responsible for the safekeeping of money.

The earliest record of this surname in England dates back to 1296AD, where a Hugo de Bankehed is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. Records also show Henry de Bankhead being registered in the same year at the Assize Court Rolls of Lancashire.

During the period of 15th to 17th century, Bankheads were living in various parts of Scotland and England. The name is associated with two locations, one in the parish of Colmonell and the other in the county of Ayr.

The Bankhead coat of arms can be traced back to Scotland during the reign of King David II (1329-1371). This coat of arms’s most important features include a black bull’s head, a red lion rampant with a gold crown atop, and a crest consisting of an eagle’s head. The motto “Semper Fidelis” (always faithful) is also associated with the Bankhead family.

Bankhead is still a very prevalent surname throughout England and Scotland, and it also appears in places around the world due to migration.

Bankhead: Where does the name Bankhead come from?

The last name Bankhead is quite common throughout the United States today. It is most frequently found in states located in the Southeast such as Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, however it is still spread throughout the country. Many individuals who share this surname are believed to have descended from Samuel Bankhead, an influential civil war officer who moved to the US from Scotland in the 1800’s. Beyond the US, the last name Bankhead is also common in various other countries including Ireland, Canada, and Australia.

In the United States, Bankhead is associated with a few prominent figures, most of which are Alabama residents. In the 1920’s, Senator John H. Bankhead II introduced New Deal trainings and relief programs to help farmers in his district. His grandson, actor/director John Bankhead Jr, was the manager for popular Hollywood talent including Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr. Actor/Rapper T.I.p. was born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. but his father was Clifford ‘Buddy’ Harris Sr., whose father’s last name was Bankhead.

Outside of the US, the last name Bankhead is most notably associated with brothers Tom and John Bankhead, born in Melbourne, Australia. The two served in World War I, with John being posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. The Bankhead Military Museum was established in their honour and to commemorate the chief events of the war.

Overall, the last name Bankhead is quite common today, spread across the US and the world. Whether it be through prominent figures or honourable war veterans, the Bankhead name is a lasting part of a history.

Variations of the surname Bankhead

The surname Bankhead is derived from either of two seemingly unrelated origins. The first origin is a corruption of the German surname Beinhöfer, which in turn is derived from the Middle German words bein, meaning "bone," and hoefer, meaning "slaughterer." In this case, the surname Bankhead may refer to an ancestor who was either a butcher, a collector of bovine bone, or both.

The second origin of Bankhead is an Anglicanized version of the Irish surname Báncrícht, which is derived from the Old Irish elements bán, meaning "white," and crích, meaning "border." This suggests that the Bankheads likely had ancient Irish roots and originated as a family near a white-bordered area of the country.

Variants and spellings of the surname Bankhead include Beinhöfer, Báncrícht, Bankhaut, Bankhuf, Bankhoft, Bankhat, Bankheft, Bankheftt, Bankrahor, Bankshor, Banckerd, and Bankers. Some of the surnames arising from these variations are Bankert, Bankes, Bankester, Banksnar, Bankfard, and Bankard.

Famous people with the name Bankhead

• Tallulah Bankhead: American actress of the 1920s and 30s known for her husky voice and playful, outrageous stage persona.
• William B. Bankhead: Brother of Tallulah Bankhead and a politician who served as the Democratic speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940.
• John Hollis Bankhead II: Represented Alabama in the United States Senate from 1937 to 1946.
• John Hollis Bankhead Sr.: Congressman from Alabama between 1887 and 1907.
• Tom Bankhead: Professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Monarchs and Homestead Grays.
• Bankhead Taylor: American pastor and civil rights activist.
• Lauren Bankhead: Lead singer of the English alternative rock band, Placebo.
• Amelia Bankhead: Premier Fashion Model of the 1920s.
• Robert Bankhead: Ghanaian professional basketball player, who has played in many professional leagues in Africa, Europe, and the United States.
• Rhoda Bankhead: Professional tennis player from California who reached a peak ranking of World No. 7 in 1934.

Other surnames

BankheedBankheid