It would therefore share its origin with a number of similar names such as Dike, Dicks, Dix, Dickson, Dixon, Dickins, Dickens and Dickinson.
Another family member bearing the name William de la Dykes is noted as having represented the Earl of Cumberland in the English Parliament during the reign of Henry VI.
Thomas, a Royalist at the time of the English Civil War during the reign of Charles I, secreted himself at Wardhall after the defeat of his party at the Battle of Marston Moor.
Thomas is reputed to have hid in many areas of his land, including in a mulberry tree, which stands to this day at GPS coordinates 54.7328807,-3.3501848, while the house was demolished in the 1800s.
Thomas was offered his freedom and the restoration of his property if he would become a traitor to his King by joining the Parliamentarians, but responded with Prius frangitur quam flectitur - Sooner broken than bent.