Show ContentsTucker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tucker Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Tucker

What does the name Tucker mean?

The name Tucker is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The Tucker family took the name when one of its members worked as a fuller, whose job it was to scour and thicken raw cloth by beating it and trampling it in water having derived from the Old English word tucian, which originally meant to torment and later gained the meaning to tuck or to full. 1 Occasionally, the name Tucker was a nickname surname given to a courageous person.

Early Origins of the Tucker family

The surname Tucker was first found in Devon. "Tucker is a very characteristic west of England name. Its great home is in Devonshire, and it is especially numerous in the Barnstaple district. It is also found in numbers in Somerset, and occurs too, but much less frequently, in Cornwall, Dorset, Hants, and Wilts. Tucker was the west of England name for a fuller. " 2

As to agree with aforementioned, another source notes: "Tucker is still a great West country surname, being very strongly represented in Devon, Wiltshire, and Dorset. " 3

The earliest record found for the family was Roger le Tukere, who was listed in the Hundredorum, Rolls for Dorset in 1273. 3

Early History of the Tucker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tucker research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1558, 1565, 1590, 1592, 1601, 1614, 1621, 1623, 1625, 1654, 1664, 1676 and 1741 are included under the topic Early Tucker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tucker Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tucker, Tooker, Toker, Tokker and others.

Early Notables of the Tucker family

  • William Tucker or Tooker (1558?-1621), English divine, born at Exeter in 1557 or 1558, the third son of William Tooker of that town. In 1590 he became rector of Clovelly in Devonshire, but resigned th...

Tucker World Ranking

the United States, the name Tucker is the 128th most popular surname with an estimated 174,090 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Tucker is ranked the 497th most popular surname with an estimated 9,806 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Tucker is the 28th popular surname with an estimated 698 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Tucker as 277th with 12,532 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Tucker as 297th with 2,038 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Tucker as 287th with 21,258 people. 9

Migration of the Tucker family to Ireland

Some of the Tucker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tucker migration to the United States +



Tucker Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Tucker explored the rivers of Maine in 1602
  • Daniel Tucker, who settled in Virginia in 1608 aboard the ship "Second Supply", left Virginia in 1612 11
  • William Tucker, (1589?–1640?), English colonist who sailed aboard the Mary and James and settled in Virginia in 1610; he was one of the first subscribers to the Virginia Company 12
  • William Tucker, who settled in Maine in 1621
  • Mrs. Mary Tucker, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Tucker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Elizabeth Tucker, who arrived in Carolina in 1724 11
  • Charlotte Tucker, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 11
Tucker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Tucker, aged 37, who landed in Alexandria, Va in 1801 11
  • James Henry Tucker, aged 21, who arrived in Alexandria, Va in 1801 11
  • Sally E Tucker, aged 10, who landed in Alexandria, Va in 1801 11
  • Maria D Tucker, aged 12, who arrived in Alexandria, Va in 1801 11
  • Richard Tucker, who arrived in America in 1807 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tucker migration to Canada +

Tucker Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • John and Richard Tucker, from Teignmouth in Devon, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1676 13
Tucker Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Tucker, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • Freelove Tucker, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • Solomon Tucker, who arrived in New Brunswick in 1783
  • Mr. James Tucker U.E. who settled in Bell Vue, Beaver Harbor, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 14
  • Mr. Solomon Tucker U.E. born in Stamford, Connecticut, USA who settled in Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1783 passenger aboard the Union Transport, was a Weaver 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Tucker Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Timothy Tucker, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843
  • Mr. Honors Tucker, aged 27 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Avon" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 15
  • Mr. Joseph Tucker who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 15
  • Miss. Ann Tucker who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but she died on board 16
  • Mr. Patrick Tucker, aged 35 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but he died on board 16

Tucker migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. James Tucker, (1757 - 1807), aged 32, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a spoon, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. John Tucker, (d. 1834), British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. John Tucker, (1737 - 1816), aged 52, British settler convicted at Buckinghamshire, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. Jonothan Tucker, (d. 1792), British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Miss Mary Tucker, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, she died prior to boarding 11
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Tuck, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. John Tucker, (1760 - 1834), aged 30, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. Joseph Tucker, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1791, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. Samuel Tucker, British settler convicted in Dorset, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Moses Tucker, (b. 1750), aged 37, West Indian carpenter convicted in Plymouth, Devon on 7th June 1786, sentenced for 7 years for fraud, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Tucker Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Tucker, (b. 1798), aged 21, English stone mason who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1869 17
  • Mr. John Tucker, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Thomas Tucker, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. Samuel Tucker, British convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
  • James Tucker, a tyler, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tucker 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:

Tucker Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Josiah Tucker, (b. 1822), aged 17, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 21
  • Henry Tucker, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Josias Tucker, aged 36, a blacksmith, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 22
  • William H. Tucker, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 22
  • Eliza Ann Tucker, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Tucker (post 1700) +

  • George Tucker (1775-1861), American author, educator and historian in Virginia, best known for The Valley of Shenandoah (1824) and A Voyage to the Moon (1827)
  • Preston Thomas Tucker (1903-1956), American automobile entrepreneur who developed the innovative Tucker 48 sedan, initially nicknamed the "Tucker Torpedo"
  • Robert Warren Tucker (1924-2025), American realist writer and professor of American Foreign Policy at the Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
  • Karen B. Westerfield Tucker (b. 1954), American historian and United Methodist minister who has authored several histories of Christian liturgy which were published in The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer and The Oxford History of Christian Worship, Professor of Worship at the Boston University School of Theology
  • Jim Tucker (1946-2020), American rhythm guitarist for The Turtles
  • James D. Tucker (1932-2020), American professional basketball player
  • Jerry Tucker (1925-2016), born Jerome Harold Schatz, an American child actor, best known for his role as the "rich kid" in the Our Gang
  • Larry Alan Tucker (1935-2016), American politician, President of the Senate of West Virginia in 1989
  • Cynthia Tucker (b. 1955), American reporter who won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and also a Pulitzer-nominated finalist in 2004 and 2006
  • ... (Another 167 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Thomas N Tucker (1961-1985), American Private from Goldon, Colorado, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 23
  • John Tucker, British crew who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Mr. Walter  Tucker (1894-1917), Canadian Horseman aboard the SS Curaca from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 24
  • Ronald Charles Tucker (d. 1945), British Leading Stoker aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. Leslie Tucker (b. 1913), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Penge, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26
  • ... (Another 16 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Tucker +

  • Descendants of Arthur Massey, Cheraws District, South Carolina, 1769, with Allied Lines of Thurman and Tucker by Carmae Massey Smith.
  • The Descendants of William Tucker of Throwleigh, Devon by Robert Dennard Tucker.
  • Genealogy & Ancestry of Descendants of Tom & Martha Clark: also the Families of Young, Tucker & Stalnaker by W.S. Ross.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. 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)
  12. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Tucker,_William_(DNB00)
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. 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
  15. 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. 58)
  16. 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. 97)
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  19. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  24. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  25. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  26. 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

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