Surname Pyke - Meaning and Origin
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Pyke: What does the surname Pyke mean?
The surname Pyke is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "pic," meaning "pointed hill" or sometimes "pike" which refers to a type of fish. Thus, it originally could have been used as a topographical surname for someone who lived near a pointed hill. Alternatively, it may have been used as a nickname for someone who lived near a body of water abundant with pike fish or even for a person who was thought to resemble a pike in some way. As with many surnames, interpretations can vary based on the region, culture and time period. The name is commonly found in northern England and Scotland, likely due to the prevalence of hilly landscapes in these regions. It should also be noted that "Pike" is used in Game of Thrones for the Iron Islands, a rough and rugged territory dominated by imposing cliffs and harsh seas. Therefore, the surname Pyke may, in some cases, denote a person with resilient, rugged or sharp characteristics.
Order DNA origin analysisPyke: Where does the name Pyke come from?
The last name Pyke is most commonly thought to be of English origin, with records of the Pyke name being found as far back as the 12th century. Today, the last name Pyke is mostly found in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada. While historically, Pyke was most common in England, it has since spread to other countries as people have migrated.
In the United Kingdom, the most common regions for Pykes are still in England, particularly in the Southeast, Yorkshire, and Wales. In the United States, most Pyskes can be found in the Northeast states, with a large concentration in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Australia also has a high concentration of Pyskes, with the majority of families settling around Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
In Canada, Pyke is less common than in other countries, however the largest concentrations can be found around the metropolitan centers of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
The Pyke surname has also been adopted by people in other countries, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, where the spelling of the name may differ due to local language conventions.
Overall, the surname Pyke is a relatively uncommon, yet descended from a long line of historic families, and a testament to the continued spread of population and migration over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Pyke
The surname Pyke is a popular English surname that has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the surname is Piker, which is probably derived from the Dutch word for pickaxe – ‘pik’. This variant likely arrived in England during the Great Migration of the 15th & 16th centuries and was likely used to denote an individual who made a living with a pickaxe.
Other variants of the surname include Pike, Pykes, Pikes, and Pygge. These variants likely originated during the same period as Piker, but likely had a slightly different meaning.
The surname Poyke is another variant, which has a German origin and likely means ‘pig’ in German. This variant of the surname likely arrived in England during the 17th century and was likely used to denote an individual who bred pigs.
Other surnames which stem from the same root include Picard, Pickard, Peckard, and Pye. These variants were likely derived from the French word for ‘spear’ - ‘piquer’.
Finally, surnames such as Pyece, Peece, and Piggen may also be variations of the surname Pyke. These variants likely originated in Wales, and the basic meaning is thought to be ‘little’, or ‘small’.
Overall, the surname Pyke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which likely arose from different linguistic groups and different meanings.
Famous people with the name Pyke
- Brian Pyke- He is an Australian professional footballer, playing in the National Premier Leagues Queensland for Logan Lightning.
- Susie Pyke- She is an Australian actress who is best known for her work on the popular soap opera Neighbours.
- Jamie Pyke- He is an English professional football player playing for Northampton Town of the EFL League Two.
- Adam Pyke- He is an Australian football player who plays for Adelaide United of the A-League.
- Duke Pyke- He is an American professional football player who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.
- Kai Pyke- He is an English actor known for his role in the popular TV series Doctor Who.
- Sarah Pyke- She is an Australian television actor, known for her roles in Wolf Creek and Paradise Road.
- Alan Pyke- He is an American journalist currently working for ThinkProgress.
- Jon Pyke- He is an Australian journalist and author, known for his contributions to The Sunday Age and The Age.
- Bob Pyke- He is an American painter and sculptor, best known for his public works of art in the Maryland area.