Show ContentsPitcock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Pitcock is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from Paeda the first Christian King of Mercia. The surname Pitcock referred to the son of Paeda which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Pitcock family

The surname Pitcock was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Pitcock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pitcock research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pitcock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pitcock Spelling Variations

Pitcock 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. Many variations of the name Pitcock have been found, including Pidcock, Piddock, Pidocock, Pitcock, Pittock and others.

Early Notables of the Pitcock family

More information is included under the topic Early Pitcock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pitcock Ranking

In the United States, the name Pitcock is the 11,324th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Pitcock family

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 Pitcocks to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Piddock, who arrived in Maine in 1624; George Pidcock, who settled in New England in 1657; William Piddock settled in Virginia in 1679; Elizabeth Piddock, who came to Maryland in 1684.


Contemporary Notables of the name Pitcock (post 1700) +

  • Charles Clayton Pitcock Jr. (1958-2016), American NFL and USFL Center and guard who played from 1983 to 1987
  • Helena Pitcock (b. 1956), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 2004 2


The Pitcock Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Seigneur, je te prie, garde ma vie
Motto Translation: Lord, I beseech thee, save my life.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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