Find out how popular the last name Onks is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Onks.

Onks, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Onks surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Onks in America

Onks is the 86645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Onks surname appeared 215 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Onks.

We can also compare 2010 data for Onks to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Onks

The surname "ONKS" is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the northern regions of the country. Its origins can be traced back to the 13th century, and it is likely derived from an Old English word meaning "oak tree."

One of the earliest known records of the name "ONKS" appears in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301, where it is listed as "Onks." This suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular location or landholding in Yorkshire at that time.

In the 14th century, the name "ONKS" is documented in various manorial records and tax rolls across northern England, indicating that it was a well-established surname in the region. One notable example is the mention of a John Onks in the records of the Manor of Wakefield in 1379.

By the 15th century, variations of the spelling began to emerge, such as "Ounks" and "Ouncks." This was likely due to regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that era. One individual of note from this period is Robert Ounks, a merchant from York who is recorded in the city's trade records in 1472.

The 16th century saw the name "ONKS" continue to be present in various historical records, particularly in the northern counties of England. One notable individual was William Onks, a landowner from Lancashire whose estate is mentioned in the Duchy of Lancaster records in 1536.

In the 17th century, the spelling of the name became more consistent, with "ONKS" emerging as the dominant form. During this period, the name is found in parish records and census documents across the north of England. One notable bearer of the name was John Onks, a soldier who fought in the English Civil War and is mentioned in the muster rolls of the Parliamentarian army in 1642.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the name "ONKS" remained concentrated in northern England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. Notable individuals from this period include Thomas Onks, a prominent merchant from Leeds (1712-1789), and Mary Onks, a philanthropist and benefactor from Manchester (1799-1872).

While the surname "ONKS" is relatively uncommon, it has a rich history rooted in the northern regions of England, dating back to the medieval period. Its origins are likely connected to geographical features or landholdings, and it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Onks

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Onks.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Onks was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Onks has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Onks was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Onks, please contact us.

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