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Show ContentsPeacock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Peacock comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a peacock, a nickname used also as a personal name. 1 2 3 Or the name could denote a "dweller at the sign of the peacock; one with the qualities of a peacock." 4

While most sources agree on this etymology of the name, one source postulates the name could be from Peakirk, a parish, in the union and soke of Peterborough, N. division of the county of Northampton. 5 "St. Pega, in 714, settled here in a cell, afterwards converted by Edmund Atheling into a monastery, which, though twice destroyed by the Danes, existed till 1048: there are remains in the parish." 6

Early Origins of the Peacock family

The surname Peacock was first found in Essex, where the name Pecoc was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 7 From this earliest record of the family, we move to Cornwall where Roger Paucoc was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1194. Years later in Somerset, the Assize Rolls there listed Richard Pocock in 1225 and in Yorkshire, Simon Pacock was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1297. As a forename, Pecoc de Briminton was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1285. Moving back to Essex, Robert Pecok (Paycock) was listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had three listings for the family: Geoffrey Pokoc, Cambridgeshire; Hugh Pokok, Oxfordshire; and Robert Pokoc, Lincolnshire. 8 In Somerset, Walter Pokok and Roger Pokok were listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward I's reign.) 9

The name was also found in Scotland where "a gift of six pennies annually was made from the toft of Roger Pacok in Annan in thirteenth century. Andreas Pacok was presbyter and notary public in the diocese of St. Andrews, 1311-1321, and the name appears frequently in the parish register of Dunfermline, 1561-1700, as Paycok (1564) and Paicok (1572). Thomas Pacok had grant of a third part of the land of Quhitfeilde in the barony of Lyntounrothrike in 1378, and another Thomas Pacok was presented to a chaplaincy in 1426. Andrew Pacock was notary public in Dunfermling, 1512, and George Pacok was witness in Linlithgow, 1536." 10

Early History of the Peacock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Peacock research. Another 229 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1510, 1516, 1528, 1534, 1535, 1537, 1541, 1554, 1582, 1596, 1598, 1601, 1612, 1631, 1647, 1648, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1673, 1707, 1843 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Peacock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peacock Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Peacock has undergone many spelling variations, including Peacock, Peacocke and others.

Early Notables of the Peacock family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Thomas Peacock (1516?-1582?), President of Queens' College, Cambridge, born at Cambridge, about 1516, was son of Thomas Peacock, burgess of Cambridge, whose will, dated 1528, was proved in the court o...
  • James Peacock (d. 1653), was a Vice-Admiral who appears to have been a "merchant and sea captain, whose native place was Ipswich. He is first mentioned as captain of the Warwick frigate for the parlia...

Peacock World Ranking

In the United States, the name Peacock is the 1,609th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 11 However, in Australia, the name Peacock is ranked the 786th most popular surname with an estimated 4,958 people with that name. 12 And in New Zealand, the name Peacock is the 679th popular surname with an estimated 1,047 people with that name. 13 The United Kingdom ranks Peacock as 426th with 15,212 people. 14

Ireland Migration of the Peacock family to Ireland

Some of the Peacock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Peacock migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Peacock were among those contributors:

Peacock Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nathaniel Peacock, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607
  • Charles Peacock, aged 28, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Alice" 15
  • William Peacock, aged 12, from Hertfordshire, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 16
  • Michaell Peacock, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 15
  • Mathew Peacock, who landed in Virginia in 1651 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Peacock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Sarah Peacock, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 15
  • Jeremiah Peacock, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 15
  • Jane Peacock, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 15
  • Hugh Peacock, who arrived in America in 1785 15
Peacock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Peacock, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1805 15
  • Jonathan Peacock, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812 15
  • Mathew, Michael, Richard, and Robert Peacock, who settled in Virginia in the 17th century
  • Philip Peacock, who arrived in New York in 1833 15
  • Thomas Peacock, who landed in Mississippi in 1844 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Peacock migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Peacock Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Peacock, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Peacock Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Peacock, aged 19, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
  • John Peacock, aged 12, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the barque "Ceres" from Sligo, Ireland

Australia Peacock migration to Australia +

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

Peacock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Peacock, (b. 1753), aged 47, British Convict who was convicted in Cape of Good Hope, South Africa for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1842 17
  • Mr. Thomas Peacock, English convict who was convicted in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Charles Peacock, (Purox), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1831 19
  • Mr. William Peacock, (b. 1801), aged 26, English weaver who was convicted in Staffordshire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 14th August 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Mr. Richard Peacock, British convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Peacock 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:

Peacock Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. W Peacock, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in New Zealand in 1852 22
  • Mr. Peacock, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 22
  • Child Peacock, (b. 1862), aged 11 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 23
  • Mr. Oliver Peacock, (b. 1838), aged 24, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 23
  • Mrs. Lavinia Peacock, (b. 1841), aged 21, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Peacock migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 24
Peacock Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Peacock, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Peacock (post 1700) +

  • Gary Peacock (1935-2020), American jazz double-bassist
  • Molly Peacock (b. 1947), American poet
  • Howell Peacock (1889-1962), American head coach of men's college basketball
  • Charlie Peacock (b. 1956), American songwriter
  • Hugh C. Peacock, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Leith, 1884 26
  • Gomer Peacock, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Utah, 1952 26
  • Frank Peacock, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 8th District, 1889-92 26
  • Ed Peacock, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995 26
  • Charles J. Peacock Jr., American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arkansas, 1972 26
  • Carroll B. Peacock, American Republican politician, Member of Maine State House of Representatives from Washington County (3rd), 1931-32 26
  • ... (Another 35 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Hood
  • Mr. William Peacock (b. 1921), Welsh Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
  • Mr. John E C Peacock (b. 1911), English Surgeon Lieutenant (D) serving for the Royal Navy from Brighton, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
Lady of the Lake
  • Miss Jane Peacock (b. 1826), traveller who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
  • Mrs. Eliza Peacock (b. 1803), traveller who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
  • Mr. William Peacock (b. 1824), labourer who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Elizabeth L. Peacock, American 2nd Class passenger from Jerome, Arizona, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 28
  • Master Thomas Edward Peacock Jr., American 2nd Class passenger from Jerome, Arizona, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 28
RMS Titanic
  • Mrs. Edith Peacock (d. 1912), (née Nile), aged 26, English Third Class passenger from Southampton, Hampshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29
  • Miss Treasteall Peacock (d. 1912), aged 4, English Third Class passenger from Southampton, Hampshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29
  • Master Alfred Edward Peacock (d. 1912), aged 7 mths, English Third Class passenger from Southampton, Hampshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29

Suggested Readings for the name Peacock +

  • The Sharp Family of Southern New Jersey by Albert Stirling Adams.
  • The Peacock, Rueff, Kittle, Van Deusen, Quackenbos, McCarn, Kayser and Related Families in New Netherland, 1623-1759 by Earle Franklin Peacox.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  5. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  8. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  9. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  10. 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)
  11. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  12. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  13. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  14. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  15. 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)
  16. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  19. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 26th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1827
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  27. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  28. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  29. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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