Bocker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland

The surname Bocker is of nickname derivation and the surname arose from a nickname by which the original bearer was known. In this case, it is derived from the Old German word bock, which meant goat or donkey, and was given to a person known for being stubborn and for being spiteful. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demi-gods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans.

Early Origins of the Bocker family

The surname Bocker was first found in Swabia, where the family became noted for its many branches with the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family. Literally, in its mediaeval context, the name meant "one who is spiteful."

Early History of the Bocker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bocker research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1315, 1342, 1559, 1617, 1661, 1664 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Bocker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bocker Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bockler, Bocher, Bochler, Boechli (Alemannia), Bochtler (Wuerttemberg), Bochter and many more.

Early Notables of the Bocker family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bocker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bocker migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bocker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Nick Bocker, aged 23, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
Andreas Bocker, who landed in America in 1780 1
Christian Bocker, who arrived in America in 1780 1

Bocker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Heinr Werner Bocker, who arrived in America in 1810 1
Friedr Bocker, aged 24, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1845 1
Louise Bocker, aged 19, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1845 1
Joh Bocker, who landed in America in 1846 1
Joh Franz Heinr Bocker, who arrived in America in 1847 1

Citations +

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)