| ![Show Contents]() Cockroft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The Anglo-Saxon name Cockroft comes from the family having resided in Carcroft, a hamlet in the parish of Owston in Yorkshire. Early Origins of the Cockroft familyThe surname Cockroft was first found in South Yorkshire, at Carcroft, a rural village part of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The earliest record of the village was in the 12th century when it was listed as Kercroft and literally meant "enclosure near the marsh" having derived from the Old Scandinavian word "kjarr" + and the Old English word "croft." 1 Early History of the Cockroft familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockroft research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1272, 1296, 1379 and 1764 are included under the topic Early Cockroft History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cockroft Spelling VariationsCockroft has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Cockcroft, Cocckecroft, Carrecroft, Calcraft, Chalcraft, Choldcorft, Cracroft, Chalcroft and many more. Early Notables of the Cockroft familyMore information is included under the topic Early Cockroft Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Cockroft migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Cockrofts to arrive on North American shores:
Cockroft Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- S. Cockroft, aged 30, originally from London, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Aurania (1883)" from Liverpool, England 2
Cockroft Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Amy Helena Cockroft, aged 33, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 2
- Lewis Cockroft, aged 26, originally from Halifax, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Caronia" from Liverpool, England 2
| Cockroft migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Cockroft Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Adin Cockroft, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
- Hannah Cockroft, aged 21, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
- Mr. W. Cockroft, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenmark" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1868 3
- Mr. Mark Cockroft, (b. 1841), aged 33, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 26th July 1874 4
- Mrs. Jane Cockroft, (b. 1845), aged 29, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 26th July 1874 4
| Contemporary Notables of the name Cockroft (post 1700) | + |
- Donald Lee Cockroft (b. 1945), retired American football punter and placekicker
- Joe Cockroft (1911-1994), English footballer
- Peter Cockroft (b. 1957), British weather forecaster for the BBC
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Cockroft migration to the United States 
Cockroft migration to New Zealand 
