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

Ricks, 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 Ricks surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ricks in America

Ricks is the 1950th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ricks surname appeared 18,506 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Ricks.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ricks 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 Ricks

The surname Ricks has its origins in England, tracing back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ric," meaning powerful or wealthy. This name was likely given as a descriptive surname to individuals who possessed notable wealth or status during that time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ricks can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a William Ric was mentioned. This early record suggests that the name had already gained traction as a surname by the late 12th century.

As the surname Ricks spread across England, it also took on various spellings and variations, such as Rickes, Rix, and Rixe. These different spellings often reflected regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name.

The Ricks surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Ricks Marsh in Kent and Rixtown in Staffordshire. These place names may have influenced the adoption of the surname by families residing in those areas.

Notable individuals who bore the Ricks surname throughout history include Richard Ricks (c. 1560 - 1636), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Dunwich. Another prominent figure was Thomas Ricks (1676 - 1744), a wealthy merchant and landowner in Norfolk.

In the literary world, Reverend Martin Ricks (1742 - 1812) was a respected scholar and author who published several works on theology and philosophy. His contributions to the intellectual discourse of his time earned him recognition among his contemporaries.

During the 19th century, William Ricks (1816 - 1892) made a name for himself as a successful businessman and industrialist in the textile industry. His factories and mills played a significant role in the economic development of his region.

One of the most notable figures bearing the Ricks surname was the American military officer and strategist, Thomas E. Ricks (born 1963). As a prominent journalist and author, he has written extensively on military affairs and served as a respected commentator on national security issues.

While the Ricks surname may have originated from humble beginnings, it has been carried forward by individuals who have left their mark on various fields throughout history, from politics and business to literature and military strategy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ricks

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

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 Ricks 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 Ricks 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 Ricks was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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