Cockmen History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe origins of the Cockmen surname lie with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name Cockmen began when someone in that family worked as a servant to a cook. The surname Cockmen is derived from the Old English word cokman, which is comprised of the components coc, which means cook, and man, which means servant. 1 Another source claims the name was derived from 'Cockman, a cockfighter.' 2 Early Origins of the Cockmen familyThe surname Cockmen was first found in Somerset, where William Cokeman was recorded in the Assize Rolls for 1276. A few years later, Reynballus Cokeman was listed in Cornwall in 1297 and in Colchester, John Cookman was recorded in 1374. 3 Again in Somerset, we found William Cokeinan listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 4 Early History of the Cockmen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockmen research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1276, 1297, 1374, 1675, 1705, 1717, 1722, 1729, 1745, 1796 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Cockmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cockmen Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Cockmen has appeared include Cookman, Cockman, Cokeman and others. Early Notables of the Cockmen familyNotables of the family at this time include Reverend Dr Thomas Cockman, Doctor of Divinity (1675-1745), an Oxford academic and administrator. He was Master of University College... Migration of the Cockmen familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Cockmen arrived in North America very early: Richard Cockman who sailed to Barbados in 1635; and R. Cookman sailed to Virginia in 1662.
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