Surname Cockes - Meaning and Origin
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Cockes: What does the surname Cockes mean?
The surname Cockes is of English origin and is believed to be derived from a nickname or occupational term. It might be derived from the Middle English term "cok", meaning rooster, which was often used as a nickname for a natural leader, a conceited individual or someone known for their early rising. This was also a term used for a young lad who worked as a servant (a role also known as a ‘cock’ in the medieval times). Alternatively, in some cases, it may have an occupational source referring to a 'cock herder'. Spelling variations in the Middle Ages are common due to illiteracy among many people, and the surname hence has a cluster of variations including Cock, Cocke, and Koke. Analyzing the surname's meaning provides a snapshot of the culture or attributes or profession associated with the ancestors who originally bore this surname. As with many surnames, each family line with the Cockes surname may have a different origin and might not be related.
Order DNA origin analysisCockes: Where does the name Cockes come from?
The surname Cockes is of English origin and it derives from the personal name "Cock," which was a diminutive form of names like "Cockerel" or "Cockman." It was often given as a nickname in the Middle Ages. Like many surnames of this period, the name has undergone various spellings changes over the years such as Coc, Cok, Coek, and Coeke, and ultimately became Cockes.
The usage of such surnames became more common as populations grew and it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same personal names. The surname was first recorded in the 13th century in Lincolnshire in England. It spread to other parts of England and the British Isles over subsequent centuries.
Today, the name is not common and can be found in lower numbers; it is distributed unequally across regions. It appears more frequently in England and other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. However, given the relative rarity of the name, it does not rank high in terms of population density in any specific location.
Variations of the surname Cockes
The surname Cockes has several variants, spellings, and related surnames that might originate from similar roots. These include Cocks, Cox, Coxe, Cock, and Cooks. The variation of "Cokes" might also be a phonetic spelling for Cockes.
The surname could potentially have multiple origins. It may be occupational, derived from the Old English word for a cook, or it could also be linked to the nickname for a "cock" or rooster, indicating characteristics of boldness and bravery.
Given the nature of languages and regional dialects, surnames can undergo significant alterations as documents are translated. Thus, further spelling variants might exist, especially in countries outside England.
In Early English records, you may find this surname written as "atte Cocke," a topographical surname for someone living at a sign symbol or geographical feature resembling a cock or rooster.
Please note that the most accurate way to determine variants and origins of a surname is through genealogical research, as the information provided includes the most common possibilities but not all potential variants.
Famous people with the name Cockes
- Ben Cokes: an English professional snooker player.
- Joseph Cokes: a British abstract artist.
- Jesse Cokes: an American professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.
- Gervase Cokes: an English politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for the New Forest constituency from 1901-1906.
- Ann Cokes: an English cricketer and co-founder of the Women's Cricket Association.
- Elizabeth Cokes: a former player on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and the winner of two gold medals during the 1984 and 1989 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Jim Cokes: an American painter and sculptor known for his abstract expressionist art.
- Stuart Cokes: an English contemporary musician, composer and producer.
- Thomas Cokes: an English actor, known for his roles in films such as 'The Elephant Man' and 'Revenge of the Pink Panther'.
- Michael Cokes: a former mayor of Oceanside, California.