Show ContentsShock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Shock family

The surname Shock was first found in Switzerland, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Literally translated, the word "schoche" or "schock" in its mediaeval context could mean either "hay stack" or "three score old."

Early History of the Shock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shock research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1282, 1344, 1508, 1634 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Shock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shock Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schocken, Schoechle, Schoechlin, Schoch, Schoech, Schochen, Shocken and many more.

Early Notables of the Shock family

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

Shock Ranking

In the United States, the name Shock is the 13,410th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Shock migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Shock, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 2
  • John Shock, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1761 2
  • Philip Shock, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 2
Shock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Adam Shock, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Shock (post 1700) +

  • Howard Ronald "Ron" Shock (1942-2012), American comedian
  • W. H. Shock, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Utah at-large, 1904
  • L. J. Shock, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Braxton County, 1911
  • John Shock, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Webster County Democratic Party, 1961-63
  • David R. Shock, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Ohio 8th District, 2000


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook