Cookmend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Cookmend. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a servant to a cook. The surname Cookmend 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 Cookmend family

The surname Cookmend 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 Cookmend family

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

Cookmend Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cookmend include Cookman, Cockman, Cokeman and others.

Early Notables of the Cookmend family

Notables 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...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cookmend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cookmend family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled 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 Cookmend or a variant listed above: Richard Cockman who sailed to Barbados in 1635; and R. Cookman sailed to Virginia in 1662.

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.