Contents [hide]

Wilcox History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Wilcox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The earliest origins of the name Wilcox date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from William or Wilhelm. Tracing the origin of the name further, we found the name Wilcox was originally derived from the Germanic elements will, meaning resolve, helm, meaning protection, and cock or cox, an affectionate or diminutive suffix commonly used in ancient times. With the additional suffix, cox, the name was taken to mean the son of little William. 1

Early Origins of the Wilcox family

The surname Wilcox was first found in Lancashire where one of the first records of the name was listed simply as Wilcok with no personal name in the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Wilcoc was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1286 and William Wylecok was listed in Somerset in the Assize Rolls of 1254. Quite of few of the family were found in Yorkshire as shown by John Wilcokes who was listed there in 1316. 2

By the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, there were numerous entries for the name including those with the "son" extension: Richard Wilokson; Adam Wylkokson; Raddulfus Wycok; and Willelmus Wilkocson. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, entries for the family were later. "Adam Willicok was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1578, and Alexander Willicok in Fechill was bewitched in 1597. " 4

Early History of the Wilcox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilcox research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1515, 1541, 1549, 1558, 1562, 1566, 1585, 1588, 1600, 1608, 1673, 1723, 1724, 1736, 1756, 1791 and 1929 are included under the topic Early Wilcox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilcox Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Wilcox include Wilcox, Wilcocks, Willock, Wallock and others.

Early Notables of the Wilcox family

Distinguished members of the family include

Thomas Wilcox (1549?-1608), was an English Puritan divine, born about 1549, and was 'fellow or scholar in and before 1566 ' of St. John's College, Oxford. "Upon leaving Oxford he became a 'very painfu...

Wilcox Ranking

In the United States, the name Wilcox is the 501^st most popular surname with an estimated 57,201 people with that name. 5 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Wilcox is ranked the 726^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,240 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Wilcox family to Ireland

Some of the Wilcox family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilcox migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Wilcox or a variant listed above:

Wilcox Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Grace Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 7
Michaell Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 7
Roger Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 7
Mary Wilcox, who landed in Virginia in 1653 7
Joan Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilcox Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Eliz Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 7
Agnus Wilcox, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7

Wilcox Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Wilcox, who arrived in New York in 1831 7
James Wilcox, who arrived in New York in 1832 7
George Wilcox, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 7
Jane Wilcox, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1862 7
William Wilcox, who arrived in Arkansas in 1895 7

Wilcox migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wilcox Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Wilcox, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Hagued Wilcox Sr., U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 8
Mr. Hazard Wilcox U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 8
Mr. Hezekiah Wilcox U.E., (Willcox) who settled in Canada c. 1784 8
Mr. Robert Wilcox U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilcox Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robert Wilcox, who landed in Canada in 1840
Dyer Wilcox, who landed in Canada in 1841
Miss. Agnes Wilcox, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Broom" departing 13th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 6th August 1847 but she died on board 9
Mr. Thomas Wilcox, aged 29 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Covenanter" departing 17th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 9th August 1847 but he died on board 9

Wilcox migration to Australia +

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

Wilcox Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. David Wilcox, (Clayton), English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. James Wilcox, (b. 1802), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1860 10
Mr. Morris Wilcox (b. 1812), aged 22, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 31st July 1833, sentenced for life for stealing horses, transported aboard the ship "Moffatt" on 4th January 1834 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 11
Mr. Thomas Wilcox, (b. 1826), aged 16, English sawyer who was convicted in Winchester, Hampshire, England for 10 years for theft, transported aboard the "Candahar" on 26th March 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1908 12
Mr. Henry Wilcox who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duchess of Northumberland" on 1st October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilcox 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:

Wilcox Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Wilcox, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Border Maid" arriving in New Zealand in 1851 14
Isaac Wilcox, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir George Grey" in 1864
Sarah Wilcox, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir George Grey" in 1864
Thomas L. Wilcox, aged 21, a mine labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
Mary P. Wilcox, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilcox (post 1700) +

David "Dave" Wilcox (1942-2023), American NFL professional football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1964 to 1974, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000
Caroly Wilcox (1931-2021), born Carolyn Wilcox, an American theatre professional, best known for her work with the Muppets on television programs including Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and more
Robert Wilcox (1910-1955), American film and theater actor
Fred McLeod Wilcox (1907-1964), American motion picture director
Collin Wilcox (1924-1996), American mystery writer
Howard Omar "Howdy" Wilcox (1905-1946), American racecar driver who finished second at the 1932 Indianapolis 500
Howard Samuel Wilcox (1889-1923), early American racecar driver, winner of the 1919 Indianapolis 500
Lisa Wilcox (b. 1964), American actress, known for her role in General Hospital (1987)
Frank Wilcox (1907-1974), American actor, known for his roles in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), The Ten Commandments (1956) and Across the Pacific (1942)
Wayne Wilcox (b. 1978), American actor, known for his roles in Rent (2005), Interview (2007) and My Sassy Girl (2008)
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wilcox family +

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Albert Wilcox (b. 1855), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 15

USS Arizona

Mr. Arnold Alfred Wilcox, American Quartermaster Second Class from Iowa, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 16

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. David Wilcox (b. 1879), American mine worker from Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 17

Citations +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
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
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. 99)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/candahar
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duchess-of-northumberland
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Miners killed in Winter Quarters (retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from http://www.carbon-utgenweb.com/miners.html