Cockech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Cockech is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a purveyor of cooked meats. The derives from the word cok, which means to cook, and was brought to England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Cockech family

The surname Cockech was first found in Derbyshire at Barrow, a parish, in the union of Shardlow, partly in the hundred of Appletree. "An estate here, which had been parcel of the manor of Melbourne, was annexed to the see of Carlisle before 1273, and was held on lease, under the bishops, by the family of Coke. This estate was enfranchised by act of parliament in 1704." 2

Another ancient branch of the family was found at Billingford in Norfolk. "At Beck Hall, in the parish, the birthplace of Chancellor Bacon, and the ancient seat of the Coke family, an hospital, with a chapel dedicated to St. Thomas a Becket, was founded in the beginning of the reign of Henry III." 2

Further to the south in Cornwall, another branch of the family was found. "In the reign of Charles I. the college estate [in the parish of Probus] belonged to the Cokes of Trerice; after which it became successively the property of Lewis, Goldingham, and Luttrell; and it is now in the possession of Mr. Johns." 3

Early History of the Cockech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockech research. Another 196 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1340, 1552, 1563, 1576, 1582, 1591, 1592, 1600, 1607, 1613, 1624, 1634, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1650, 1653, 1656, 1661, 1674, 1685, 1692, 1727 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Cockech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cockech Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Cockech has been recorded under many different variations, including Coke, Cokes, Coik, Coike, Coak, Coake, Coeke and others.

Early Notables of the Cockech family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634), Solicitor General of England, considered to be the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. He was "commonly called Lord Coke (or Cooke as the name was pronounced and frequently written in his own day), ' the name of pre-eminence which he hath obtained in Westminster Hall ' " 4 Sir John Coke (1563-1644), was Secretary of State and the second son of Richard Coke of Trusley, near Derby. "Being one of a family of eleven children, and his father dying in 1582, John Coke began life with nothing...
Another 150 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cockech Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cockech family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Cockechs were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Adrian and Henry Coke settled in Barbados in 1635; Elizabeth Coke settled in Providence Island in 1635; Jo, Thomas, and Robert Coke settled in Virginia in 1635.

The Cockech 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: Prudens qui patiens
Motto Translation: He who is patient is prudent.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print