Surname Bankheid - Meaning and Origin

Bankheid: What does the surname Bankheid mean?

The last name Bankheid is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Middle English term "bancherd" or "banchard". This term comes from the Old Norse words meaning bank and herd, as in shepherd. It was originally used to refer to a banca, or financial official, likely someone who was in charge of managing a large amount of wealth.

Bankheid is an occupational surname derived from an individual who held a position of banking authority. This could have been a banker, a moneylender, a money changer or any other financial professional. During Scotland's past, many wealthy landowners were responsible for handling the financial affairs of the local community, making the surname Bankheid highly valued.

Bankheid is made up of two elements - banc (bank) and heid (authority), implying that the bearer was a person of power and responsibility. This suggests the surname was given to someone entrusted with a great deal of wealth and influence.

Throughout its history, the Bankheid name has been passed down from generation to generation, resulting in a proud Scottish heritage. Today, the name is found in numerous Scottish provinces and locations, paying tribute to an illustrious past. With a heritage of arduous banking and financial services, Bankheid remains a respected surname in Scotland and other countries of origin.

Bankheid: Where does the name Bankheid come from?

The Bankheid family name is most commonly found in Germany. According to surname distribution records, Bankheid is most frequent in the state of Hesse, with concentrations of people bearing the Bankheid surname located in the populous cities of Frankfurt, Mainz, and Kassel.

This name can also be found in many parts of Europe, especially in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and northern Europe, likely as a result of migration and intermarriage over the centuries. Bankheid rhymes with the German word for “bank” and is said to originate from the district of Bankheide in the southeastern part of the German state of Lower Saxony.

This surname, known in various forms such as Bankheide, Bankhaid, and Bankeit, is thought to derive from Germanic personal name Banninc, meaning “battle” and “kin”. A numerological analysis of Bankheid suggests that, if rearranged slightly, it could have been derived from the English name Randwick, which can mean ‘Home of Peace’.

Bankheid is a relatively uncommon surname with fewer than 500 people bearing this last name in Germany alone. Despite this, it is still common in the areas in Europe from which it originates, and continues to be passed down traditionally within families.

Variations of the surname Bankheid

The surname Bankheid is mainly found in Sweden and starts with a variant of Baal, which means “lord”, and Ken, an Old Norse word meaning “family”. The origin is mostly assumed to be Germanic, meaning “lord of the family”.

Bankheid is mainly spelled Bankhied and Bankheidt. It can also be spelled Bankhöjd, Bankhoid and Bankhöyd.

The alternative surnames for Bankheid include Bankit, Banksted, Bankstöd, Bankstolz and Bankh-hold.

The variant Bankit is very close to the original spelling. It is also seen in Sweden and is mainly spelled with a k. The suffix -it is a common Scandinavian suffix and may signify “example,” “place,” or “exemplary.”

Banksted is solely found in Sweden. It is most likely derived from the Old Norse term “Banki” which means “bench.”

Bankstöd is a Swedish variant which is derived from the Scandinavian words “Bankarte” and “Stöt,” meaning “bench support”.

Bankstolz is also a Swedish variant of Bankheid. It is derived from the German word “Stolz” meaning “proud,” thus implying a proud family.

Bankh-hold is the Norwegian variant and is derived from the words “bank” and “hold,” which means “family.”

In conclusion, Bankheid is the main surname of Germanic origin, and its variants, spellings, and alternative surnames are Bankheit, Bankhied, Bankheidt, Bankhöjd, Bankhoid, Bankhöyd, Bankit, Banksted, Bankstöd, Bankstolz, and Bankh-hold.

Famous people with the name Bankheid

• Dolph Banksheild: An American film actor who appeared in a number of films, including 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' (1963).
• Orsmond Banksheild: An American jazz trumpeter who was a member of Duke Ellington's Orchestra.
• Ernest Banksheild: An English actor who starred in television shows such as 'Fawlty Towers' (1975-1979).
• Barbara Banksheild: An American singer and actress who sang with the Grammy Award-winning group, The Dixie Hummingbirds.
• John Banksheild: An English actor who appeared in the films, 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962) and 'Hamlet' (1964).
• Modesty Banksheild: An American comedian and performer who appeared in movies such as 'The Blues Brothers' (1980).
• Sheehan Banksheild: An American director, writer and producer of television and film. He won an Emmy Award for the series 'thirtysomething' (1987-90).
• Max Banksheild: An American actor who appeared in the television series 'The Waltons' (1972-81).
• Norman Banksheild: An English theatre director who produced the first British theatre performance of 'The Phantom of the Opera' (1986).
• Sylvester Banksheild: An American musician and composer who was a member of The Jackson 5 and The O'Jays.

Other surnames

BankheadBankheed