Alcook History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Alcook family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the pet form of the name Allicock. Alternatively, the name could have derived from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of Allen.' 1 Early Origins of the Alcook familyThe surname Alcook was first found in Derbyshire and Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Alcok de Stonys and John Alcoc, respectively. The Yorkshire Polls Tax Rolls of 1379 had listings with a variety of early spellings: Johannes Alcokson; Alcocus de Stublay; and Willelmus Alcok. 1 Over in Norfolk, Henry Alycock was Rector of Colney in 1481 and the same source notes "in 1493, Thomas Alicok gave 10 marks to buy a cope." 2 Scotland has some early records of the name too as William Alkok was listed as a witness in Aberdeen in 1281. 3 Early History of the Alcook familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alcook research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1399, 1430, 1449, 1461, 1472, 1473, 1486, 1500, 1715, 1738, 1742 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Alcook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Alcook Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Alcook include Alcoc, Alecock, Alecocke, Allcock, Allcoke, Allcok, Allcoe and many more. Early Notables of the Alcook familyNotables of the family at this time include John Alcock (c. 1430-1500), an English churchman, Master of the Rolls in 1461, Bishop of Rochester in 1472, 1st President of the Council of the Marches in Wales (1473 to 1500.) 4John Alcock, born at London, April 11, 1715, "became at seven years of age a chorister of St. Paul's... Migration of the Alcook family to IrelandSome of the Alcook family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Alcook familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Alcook were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: George Alcock of the "Mayflower" landings in 1620; John Alcock who settled in Maine in the same year; James Alcock, who arrived in Virginia in 1650.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto. Motto: Vigilate Motto Translation: Watch
|