Show ContentsStokker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Stokker family name begins in the German province of Bavaria. Stokker is a nickname surname, a class of German names derived from eke-names, or added names, that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Stokker is a name for a for a person who was extremely determined. The name Stokker is derived from the German word "stoc," which meant "stubborn." The name was also of local origin and it referred to a person who resided near an unusual tree. In this instance, the name is also derived from the word "stoc," which also referred to the stem or trunk of a tree.

Early Origins of the Stokker family

The surname Stokker was first found in Rothenburg, where the name Stock made a great early contribution to the early feudal society which shaped the development of Europe. The name Stock became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the widespread tribal and national conflicts, each group striving for power and status in a continually changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Stokker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stokker research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1560, 1577, 1680, 1755 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Stokker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stokker Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Stokker include Stock, Stocken, Stocker, Stok, Stocks, Stokel, Stocke and many more.

Early Notables of the Stokker family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stokker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stokker family

Between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Stokker or a variant listed above: Garrett Stock, who settled in Maryland in 1674; Alice Stocker arrived in Maryland between 1675 and 1680; Johan Henrig Stok sailed to New York City in 1709.



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