Alececk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Alececk was formed. The name was derived 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 Alececk family

The surname Alececk 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 Alececk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alececk 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 Alececk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alececk Spelling Variations

Until 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 Alececk include Alcoc, Alecock, Alecocke, Allcock, Allcoke, Allcok, Allcoe and many more.

Early Notables of the Alececk family

Notables 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...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alececk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alececk family to Ireland

Some of the Alececk family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alececk family

Thousands 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 Alececk 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 Alececk Motto +

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

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print