Sykes
"Sykes" is a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origins, which generally has topographical roots as it original linguistic origin. The name derives from the Old Norse word "sík" or "síkja", meaning a small stream, marshy hollow, or gully. It eventually was used to describe an individual who resided near such a topographical feature. In time, this would evolve into "syke" or "sykes" in Middle English. As a surname, it began showing-up in English records as early as the 13th century. It is relatively more common in the north of England, reflecting the Norse linguistic influence in that region.
The surname Sykes is also relatively common among African Americans, which often reflects the legacy of slavery in both the Americas and the rest of the world. Enslaved people were frequently given the surnames of the families who enslaved them, so many African American Sykes families can trace their surnames to a plantation owner or region of the American South.
Sykes may refer to:
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