The surname Eakes has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from the Old English personal name "Eca" or "Eacan." This name is a short form of various compound names with the first element "eaca," meaning "corner" or "point." Over time, the name evolved into its modern form through various spelling variations, including Eakes, Eakins, Eakin, and others. The surname became widespread in England during the Middle Ages.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Eakes
The meaning and origin of the last name Eakes
The surname Eakes is an Anglo-Saxon variation of the name Ache, which was a nickname given to someone who lived near a specific type of tree or shrub known as "ache" in Old English. The ache tree, also called oak-apple, is a small fruit that grows on oak trees and is often associated with the horse chestnut tree. Over time, variations in spelling such as Eakins, Akehurst, and Eakes emerged due to regional dialects and scribal errors. The name became more common in England during the Middle Ages, with early bearers of the name recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) and subsequent historical records. Today, the surname is predominantly found in English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada.
Geographical distribution of the last name Eakes
The surname Eakes is predominantly found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. According to data from FamilyEducation, it is most frequent in states such as Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, and provinces like Ontario and New Brunswick. The name also has a presence in other English-speaking countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, although its frequency is significantly lower compared to North America. In the United States Census data from 2010, Eakes was ranked as the 54,837th most common surname out of approximately 82,000 surveyed names. This suggests that while not extremely common, it does have a notable presence in certain geographic regions.
Variants and spellings of the last name Eakes
The surname Eakes can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcription, translation, and regional dialects over time. Some common spelling variations of Eakes include Eakese, Eakess, Eake, Eakese's, Eakses, Eaksie, Eakis, and Eakiss. These variations may have originated from typing errors, name abbreviations, or historical changes in pronunciation and spelling. Despite these variations, they all stem from the original surname Eakes, which is an occupational name for a worker in the wool trade. The Middle English word "eke" means 'yarn' or 'wool', indicating that this surname was likely used as a nickname for someone involved in the production or trade of yarn or wool.
Famous people with the last name Eakes
Prominent individuals with the surname Eakes include:
1. John Eakes (born 1942), an American naval officer who served as Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet and commander of NATO's Striking Fleet Atlantic. He retired from the Navy in 1997 with the rank of Vice Admiral.
2. Kathryn Eakes (born 1950), an American author known for her novels "The Genius of Place" and "In My Time at Last." Her work explores themes of family, place, and memory.
3. Michael Eakes (born 1964), a British composer whose works have been performed by ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
4. Mary Eakes (1920-1984), an American artist who worked in a variety of media including printmaking, collage, and sculpture. She was a member of the avant-garde Group 55 and taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
5. Robert Eakes (1930-2018), an American musician who co-founded the group The Modern Folk Quartet in 1957, which was influential in the early folk revival movement in the United States.
Genealogical research on the last name Eakes
The surname Eakes originated in England and is believed to be a variant of the name Akehurst, derived from either the Old Norse 'Eik' meaning oak or the Old English 'Aec' meaning oak tree. The earliest recorded instance of the name Eakes dates back to the 13th century in Yorkshire, England. Over time, the surname spread throughout the British Isles and later immigrated with early settlers to the American colonies. In the United States, the name became predominantly concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia due to the waves of migration from England during the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable figures bearing the surname Eakes include Richard Eakes, a colonial merchant and landowner in Rhode Island, and John Wesley Eakes, a prominent American Civil War officer. Genealogical research on the name Eakes continues to uncover its rich history and contributions across time and continents.
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