First found in Yorkshire where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them travelled 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 Rooks or a variant listed above: Daniel Rooke settled in Virginia in 1652; Samuel Rooke settled in Virginia in 1654; Samuel Rooke settled in Boston in 1712; Thomas Rooke settled in Virginia in 1650.

Motto Translated: Rooks will flourish while the sun shines.

For more information on the last name Rooks, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.