Wishlist
Menu
Cart
HouseofNames
Wishlist
Cart

Show ContentsPickering History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England England
Product

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

4.9 Average Rating

The lineage of the name Pickering begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived in the parish of Pickering found in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Pickering is a habitation name that was originally derived from the pre-existing name for a parish. It was originally derived from the Old English word Picora which referred to those individuals who lived at the edge of a hill.

Early Origins of the Pickering family

The surname Pickering was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Pickering, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in Pickering lythe. "The origin of this place is said to be very remote, being dated by tradition 270 years before the commencement of the Christian era, and ascribed to Peridurus, a British king, who was interred here, on the brow of a hill called Rawcliff. According to local tradition, also, its name is derived from the circumstance of a ring having been lost by the founder whilst washing in the river Costa, and subsequently found in the belly of a pike." 1

Some of the earliest records of the family were Sir James Pickering (fl. 1383), Speaker of the House of Commons, was son of Sir John Pickering of Killington, Westmorland. The family had been established at Killington since 1260. Thomas Pickering (died 1475) was an early English genealogist and was presumably a native of Pickering, Yorkshire. 2

Early History of the Pickering family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pickering research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1544, 1592, 1596, 1611, 1613, 1618, 1637, 1654, 1668 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Pickering History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pickering Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Pickering has undergone many spelling variations, including Puckering, Pickering, Pykering, Pikering and others.

Early Notables of the Pickering family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Sir Gilbert Pickering, 1st Baronet (1611-1668), a regicide, a member of the English Council of State during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, and a member of Cromwell's Upper House
  • Sir Henry Pickering, 1st Baronet (1613-1668), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654, fought in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War

Pickering World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pickering is the 2,443rd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Pickering is ranked the 629th most popular surname with an estimated 6,203 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Pickering is the 489th popular surname with an estimated 1,395 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Pickering as 441st with 14,649 people. 6

United States Pickering migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Pickering were among those contributors:

Pickering Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Pickering, who arrived in America in 1620 7
  • George Pickering who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
  • Mrs. Esther Pickering who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
  • Mr. George Pickering who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
  • Mr. John Pickering who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pickering Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Pickering, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 7
  • Mr. John Pickering, aged 24, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • William H Pickering, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1864 7
  • Mary Pickering, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1864 7
  • Thomas Pickering, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 7

Canada Pickering migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pickering Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Pickering, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1704 9
  • Samuel Pickering, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Samuel Pickering, aged 23, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Mr. William Pickering U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10
Pickering Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Pickering, who settled in Catalina, Newfoundland in 1836 9
  • Miss. Sarah Pickering, aged 13 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Goliah" departing from the port of Goliah, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 11
  • Mr. Gibson Pickering who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Goliah" departing 21st May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 18th July 1847 but he died on board 12

Australia Pickering migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pickering Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Pickering, (b. 1787), aged 20, English convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 14 years for possession of forged notes, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1837 13
  • Mr. John Pickering, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. George Pickering, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Thomas Pickering who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 3rd October 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • Mr. James Pickering, English convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire (Holland), England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Pickering 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:

Pickering Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Pickering, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl of Lonsdale" arriving in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand on 11th April 1841 18
  • William Pickering, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
  • Charlotte Pickering, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
  • Elizabeth Pickering, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
  • Thomas Pickering, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Pickering migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Pickering Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Pickering, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20

Contemporary Notables of the name Pickering (post 1700) +

  • Norman C. Pickering (1916-2015), American engineer, musical instrument designer, inventor, co-founder of the Audio Engineering Society
  • Brigadier-General James Arthur Pickering (1891-1983), American Commanding Officer Artillery, 8th Division (1942-1945) 21
  • Thomas Reeve Pickering (b. 1931), American Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992
  • Edward Charles Pickering (1846-1919), American astronomer and physicist
  • George W. Pickering, American politician, Mayor of Bangor, Maine, 1853-54
  • Frederick M. Pickering, American politician, Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Newington, 1956
  • Emery G. Pickering, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for New York State Assembly from Broome County 2nd District, 1918
  • Charles Willis Pickering Jr. (b. 1963), American Republican politician, Legislative aide to U.S. Senator Trent Lott, 1992-96; U.S. Representative from Mississippi 3rd District, 1997-2009; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 2004, 2008;
  • Charles Willis Pickering Sr. (b. 1937), American Republican politician, Member of Mississippi State Senate, 1972-80; Mississippi Republican State Chair, 1976-78; Candidate for Mississippi State Attorney General, 1979;
  • Charles W. Pickering Jr., American politician, Mayor of Westland, Michigan, 1982-85
  • ... (Another 25 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. William E.  Pickering (1863-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • Mrs. Margaret  Pickering, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • Miss Viola  Pickering (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • Mrs. Alice  Pickering (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • Mr. R. L.  Pickering (1885-1917), English 2nd Officer aboard the SS Curaca from Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • ... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Cornwall
  • Vincent Pickering (d. 1942), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Harry Pickering (b. 1914), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  8. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  9. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  10. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  11. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
  12. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 92)
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) James Pickering. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Pickering/James_Arthur/USA.html
  22. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  23. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  24. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Houseofnames.com on Facebook