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Sign up freeWilks Family Genealogy & History
Discover the Global Legacy of the Wilks Surname
The surname Wilks is an intriguing name with roots that suggest a patronymic origin, likely derived from a diminutive of the given name William. In a family-history context, Wilks can be traced back to the medieval period, where it began as a way to identify the children of a father named William. As surnames became hereditary, Wilks evolved from a personal identifier to a family name passed through generations, making it a focal point of interest for those exploring the Wilks family tree.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Wilks spread geographically and culturally. In England, it gained recognition through various prominent individuals, including political figures like John Wilks and creative minds such as Mike Wilks, an artist and author. The Wilks genealogy also extends to the United States, with notable names like Bobby Wilks, the first African-American to achieve the rank of Coast Guard captain, and Steve Wilks, an influential football coach. This diverse representation across different fields highlights the widespread adoption and cultural significance of the Wilks surname.
YourRoots data offers valuable insights into the Wilks surname, confirming its enduring presence in English records since the medieval era. The dataset complements historical accounts by illustrating the surname's expansion and influence, particularly in the British Isles and the United States. YourRoots records show the Wilks name appearing in various public documents and registries, affirming its historical and genealogical relevance.
For genealogy enthusiasts and family-tree researchers, YourRoots provides a crucial resource for tracing the Wilks lineage. By aligning historical information with contemporary records, YourRoots enriches the exploration of the Wilks family tree, offering a comprehensive view of its legacy across centuries and continents.
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MWMary Florence WilksBirth: 1938 – 1938 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1938 – 1938 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CMWMary Florence WilksBirth: 1938 – 1938 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1938 – 1938 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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GWGeorge Henry WilksBirth: 1886 – 1935 West Ham, EssexDeath: 1886 – 1935 Hackney, LondonFather: George WilksMother: Clara Elizabeth AtkinsReliability Score: N/AGWGeorge Henry WilksBirth: 1886 – 1935 West Ham, EssexDeath: 1886 – 1935 Hackney, LondonFather: George WilksMother: Clara Elizabeth AtkinsReliability Score: N/A
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GWGrant Squair WilksBirth: 1877 – 1925 Tennessee, USADeath: 1877 – 1925 Haywood County, Tennessee, USAFather: John Alexander ( Hop ) WilkesMother: Mary Jane Jennie ( Catherine ) WebbReliability Score: AGWGrant Squair WilksBirth: 1877 – 1925 Tennessee, USADeath: 1877 – 1925 Haywood County, Tennessee, USAFather: John Alexander ( Hop ) WilkesMother: Mary Jane Jennie ( Catherine ) WebbReliability Score: A
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NWNellie WilksBirth: 1883 – 1962 Worcester, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1883 – 1962 Rochford, EssexFather: George WilksMother: Clara Elizabeth AtkinsReliability Score: N/ANWNellie WilksBirth: 1883 – 1962 Worcester, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1883 – 1962 Rochford, EssexFather: George WilksMother: Clara Elizabeth AtkinsReliability Score: N/A
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MWMildred WilksBirth: 1947 – 2008 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1947 – 2008 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: BMWMildred WilksBirth: 1947 – 2008 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1947 – 2008 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: B
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WWWillie D WilksBirth: 1909 – 1970 Haywood County, Tennessee, USADeath: 1909 – 1970 Proviso, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: BWWWillie D WilksBirth: 1909 – 1970 Haywood County, Tennessee, USADeath: 1909 – 1970 Proviso, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: B
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LWLura WilksBirth: 1904 – 1998 TennesseeDeath: 1904 – 1998 Gary, Lake, Indiana, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: BLWLura WilksBirth: 1904 – 1998 TennesseeDeath: 1904 – 1998 Gary, Lake, Indiana, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: B
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FWFloyd WilksBirth: 1918 – 1984 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1918 – 1984 Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: AFWFloyd WilksBirth: 1918 – 1984 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1918 – 1984 Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: A
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EWEarlene WilksBirth: 1936 – 2017 Tennessee, USADeath: 1936 – 2017 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CEWEarlene WilksBirth: 1936 – 2017 Tennessee, USADeath: 1936 – 2017 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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EWEliza WilksBirth: 1844 – 1873 Kemerton, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1844 – 1873 Wiltshire, United KingdomFather: Samuel WilksMother: Ann BaylissReliability Score: N/AEWEliza WilksBirth: 1844 – 1873 Kemerton, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1844 – 1873 Wiltshire, United KingdomFather: Samuel WilksMother: Ann BaylissReliability Score: N/A
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RWRobert WilksBirth: 1776 – 1865 Shipton Under Wychwood, Oxfordshire, EnglandDeath: 1776 – 1865 Chipping Norton, OxfordshireFather: Richard WilkesMother: Ann WilletReliability Score: N/ARWRobert WilksBirth: 1776 – 1865 Shipton Under Wychwood, Oxfordshire, EnglandDeath: 1776 – 1865 Chipping Norton, OxfordshireFather: Richard WilkesMother: Ann WilletReliability Score: N/A
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LWLouis Lee WilksBirth: 1935 – 1999 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1935 – 1999 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CLWLouis Lee WilksBirth: 1935 – 1999 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1935 – 1999 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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LWLou Lilly WilksBirth: 1928 – 1932 Brownville, Haywood County, Tennessee, USADeath: 1928 – 1932 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CLWLou Lilly WilksBirth: 1928 – 1932 Brownville, Haywood County, Tennessee, USADeath: 1928 – 1932 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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RWRobert WilksBirth: 1821 – 1903 Great Milton, Oxfordshire, EnglandDeath: 1821 – 1903 Wycombe, BuckinghamshireFather: Robert WilksMother: Rhoda HowseReliability Score: N/ARWRobert WilksBirth: 1821 – 1903 Great Milton, Oxfordshire, EnglandDeath: 1821 – 1903 Wycombe, BuckinghamshireFather: Robert WilksMother: Rhoda HowseReliability Score: N/A
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EWElla Mae WilksBirth: 1930 – 1993 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1930 – 1993 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CEWElla Mae WilksBirth: 1930 – 1993 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1930 – 1993 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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FWFloyd Michael Anthony WilksBirth: 1957 – 2021 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1957 – 2021 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: BFWFloyd Michael Anthony WilksBirth: 1957 – 2021 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1957 – 2021 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: B
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FWFlorence WilksBirth: 1933 – 2010 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1933 – 2010 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: CFWFlorence WilksBirth: 1933 – 2010 Brownsville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1933 – 2010 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Countee Lee WilksMother: Edna AllenReliability Score: C
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MWMargaret WilksBirth: 1947 – 2023 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1947 – 2023 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: BMWMargaret WilksBirth: 1947 – 2023 Memphis, Tennessee, USADeath: 1947 – 2023 Memphis, Tennessee, USAFather: Floyd WilksMother: Marguerite “Willians” HoustonReliability Score: B
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GWGeorge WilksBirth: 1853 – 1926 Worcester, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1853 – 1926 West Ham, Essex, EnglandFather: Samuel WilksMother: Ann BaylissReliability Score: N/AGWGeorge WilksBirth: 1853 – 1926 Worcester, Worcestershire, EnglandDeath: 1853 – 1926 West Ham, Essex, EnglandFather: Samuel WilksMother: Ann BaylissReliability Score: N/A
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CWCountee Lee WilksBirth: 1907 – 1987 Brownville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1907 – 1987 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: BCWCountee Lee WilksBirth: 1907 – 1987 Brownville, Haywood, Tennessee, USADeath: 1907 – 1987 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USAFather: Grant Squair WilksMother: Ella ( Eller ) WiseReliability Score: B
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Tracing Your Wilks Family Lineage
Currently, YourRoots Map does not yet have enough verified historical and migration data to provide a detailed analysis of the Wilks surname. However, we’re continuously expanding our global database using family trees, historical records, and DNA-based connections contributed by our growing community of researchers.
As more data becomes available, this page will be updated to include an in-depth look at the [SURNAME] family’s regional origins, early historical records, and migration patterns across centuries.
Famous People with Wilks (and Their Family Tree)
Dan and Farris Wilks
Dan and Farris Wilks, known as the Wilks Brothers, are prominent figures in the American petroleum industry. They founded Frac Tech, a hydraulic fracturing company, in 2002 and sold their 70% interest for $3.5 billion in 2011, making them billionaires. Based in Cisco, Texas, the brothers are influential investors in conservative causes, notably supporting The Daily Wire, PragerU, and Senator Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign. Their land acquisitions in Idaho and Montana have sparked controversy due to access restrictions on public lands.
Dan and Farris were born to Myrtle and Gwyn Voy Wilks, a bricklayer, in Cisco, Texas. Raised in poverty, they once slept in a goat shed. Their father, Voy Wilks, was a significant figure in the Assembly of Yahweh, a congregation he led after its founding following a doctrinal dispute in 1947.
Steve Wilks
Steven Bernard Wilks, born August 8, 1969, is a prominent American football coach, currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets in the NFL. Known for his defensive acumen, Wilks has held significant roles, including defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and assistant head coach for the Carolina Panthers, where he contributed to their Super Bowl 50 appearance. His career highlights also include a head coaching stint with the Arizona Cardinals and an interim head coach position with the Panthers in 2022. Wilks is recognized for his strategic insights and leadership across the NFL, making him a sought-after figure in professional football coaching circles.
James Wilks
James Brett Wilks, born on April 5, 1978, in Leicestershire, England, is a renowned former professional mixed martial artist and advocate for plant-based nutrition. Competing professionally from 2003 to 2012, Wilks made a name for himself in organizations like the UFC and King of the Cage. He is best known for winning The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom, showcasing his skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking. After retiring due to injuries, Wilks shifted focus to advocating plant-based diets, notably through his role in the documentary "The Game Changers," produced by James Cameron.
Maurice Wilks
Maurice Fernand Cary Wilks (1904-1963) was a prominent English automotive and aeronautical engineer, celebrated for founding the Land Rover marque. Serving as chairman of the Rover Company, Wilks played a pivotal role in the creation of the first Land Rover off-road utility vehicle. His engineering achievements included leading the development of gas turbine engines, resulting in the unveiling of the world’s first gas turbine-powered car in 1949. Wilks was known for his farsightedness and profound engineering knowledge.
Maurice Wilks was the youngest of six siblings, born to Thomas Wilks, a director of a leather company, and Jane Eliza, a suffragette. His brother Spencer Wilks also held significant roles within the Rover Company.
Henry Wilks
Henry Wilks is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, portrayed by Arthur Pentelow. As a retired wool merchant, Henry brought his industrialist perspective to the rural setting of Beckindale. Notably, he co-managed the Woolpack public house with Amos Brearly for nearly two decades, creating a dynamic partnership characterized by amicable squabbles. Henry's involvement in Emmerdale Farm, alongside his old friend Annie Sugden, highlights his business acumen and dedication to preserving the Yorkshire Dales' natural beauty. His role in transforming the farm into a limited company and his close relationships with key characters, including his daughter Marian Wilks, solidified his legacy in the series.
Wilks Surname Meaning, Origin, and History
The surname "Wilks" is associated with a range of notable individuals across various fields, including sports, science, and the arts, primarily from English-speaking countries. It also appears in fictional contexts, such as the character Henry Wilks from the soap opera "Emmerdale."
VIEW MOREWhere to Find Genealogy Records for Wilks
We’ve analyzed YourRoots tree and records data to uncover where genealogists are finding key sources such as census, birth certificates, marriage records, and obituaries for the Wilks family. Explore our most popular genealogy record sources for the Wilks surname to learn more.
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