Contents [hide]

Hancock History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Hancock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Hancock originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived from from the baptismal name for the son of John, which was originally derived from the diminutive form Hann, a popular English name derived from the Flemish Hann, when translated means John. The suffix cock was added to the surname to indicate familiarity.

Early Origins of the Hancock family

The surname Hancock was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was Hanecock Birunc who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Warynus Hancok, Robert Hancok, Willelmus Hancok and Agnes Hankok as all living in Yorkshire at that time. 1

Farther south in Devon, John Hancock was Warden of St Mary's College, Ottery St Mary in 1446.

Early History of the Hancock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hancock research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1631, 1654, 1676, 1692, 1693, 1699, 1701, 1703, 1707, 1714, 1721, 1723, 1726, 1737, 1772, 1792, 1793 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Hancock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hancock Spelling Variations

One 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 Hancock has appeared include Hancock, Hancox, Hancocks, Hancocke, Handcock and others.

Early Notables of the Hancock family

Notables of the family at this time include

John Hancock (1737-1793), president of the Continental Congress, the first signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Because his signature was so legible, the expression "John Hancock" meani...
Crang & Hancock, were noted organ builders. John Crang, a Devonshire man, settled in London and became a partner with Hancock, a good voicer of reeds. The latter added new reeds to many of Father Smit...

Hancock World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hancock is the 546^th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 2 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hancock is ranked the 143^rd most popular surname with an estimated 265 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Hancock is the 256^th popular surname with an estimated 13,405 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Hancock as 364^th with 1,747 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Hancock as 322^nd with 19,163 people. 6

Migration of the Hancock family to Ireland

Some of the Hancock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hancock migration to the United States +

At 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 Hancock arrived in North America very early:

Hancock Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Hancock, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1608 aboard the ship "Second Supply" 7
Nathaniel Hancock, who landed in Carnbridge, Massachusetts in 1635 7
Tho Hancock, aged 15, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 7
Mr. John Hancock, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 8
Andrew Hancock, who arrived in Virginia in 1649 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hancock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Hancock, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 7
Thomas Hancock, who settled in Maryland in 1775

Hancock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Hancock, aged 22, who landed in South Carolina in 1812 7
Mr. Richard Hancock, (b. 1814), aged 22, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 9
Mr. W. Hancock, (b. 1811), aged 30, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 25 May 1841 9
Mrs. Susan Hancock, (b. 1811), aged 30, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 25 May 1841 9
Miss E. Hancock, (b. 1837), aged 4, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 25 May 1841 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hancock Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas Hancock, (b. 1855), aged 45, Cornish miner from Liskeard, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd February 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 10
Mr. Robert Hancock, (b. 1878), aged 22, Cornish groom from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th September 1900 en route to Boston, Massachusetts, USA 10
Mr. Marshall Hancock, (b. 1883), aged 20, Cornish miner from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Canadian" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th April 1903 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 10
Mr. William Hancock, (b. 1886), aged 17, Cornish miner from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 10
Mr. Philip Hancock, (b. 1878), aged 25, Cornish miner from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1903 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hancock migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hancock Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Hancock, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Samuel Hancock, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Hancock, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Henry Hancock, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
James Hancock, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Hancock Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Cicero Hancock, who arrived in Canada in 1831
Robert Hancock, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland

Hancock migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hancock Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Caysy Hancock, (b. 1745), aged 42, Scottish brick maker who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years for assault, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1821 11

Hancock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Hancock, (b. 1804), aged 16, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Robert Hancock, English convict from Cambridge, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
Thomas Hancock, a weaver, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. George Hancock, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Daniel Hancock, (b. 1806), aged 25, English farm labourer who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years for machine breaking, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1890 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hancock migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hancock Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Hancock, (b. 1816), aged 25, British labourer travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Mrs. Elizabeth Hancock, (b. 1820), aged 21, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Mr. John Hancock, (b. 1830), aged 11, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Thomas Hancock, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Bolivia
Mr. Thomas Hancock, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 30th September 1853 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hancock migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Hancock Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Edward Hancock, who settled in Barbados in 1654
Robert Hancock, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Hancock (post 1700) +

John Hancock (1737-1793), American merchant, statesman, Patriot of the American Revolution, signor of the Declaration of Independence, president of the Second Continental Congress, first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Mary Louise Hancock (1920-2017), American politician, New Hampshire State Senator (1977-1979), New Hampshire State Planning Director (1960-1976)
William C. "Billy" Hancock Jr. (1946-2018), American singer, guitarist, bassist and multi-instrumental recording artist
Ronald Garry Hancock (1954-2015), American Major League Baseball reserve outfielder and first baseman who played from 1978 to 1984
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock (b. 1940), American Grammy award winning jazz musician
Albany Hancock (1806-1873), English naturalist, biologist, supporter of Charles Darwin 19
Barry John Hancock (1938-2013), English footballer
Thomas Hancock VC (1823-1871), English recipient of the Victoria Cross
Sheila Cameron Hancock CBE (b. 1933), English actress and author
Nick Hancock (b. 1962), English actor, comedian and television presenter
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hancock family +

HMS Dorsetshire

Alfred George Hancock, British Warrant Officer Gunner aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 20

HMS Repulse

Mr. Francis Hancock, British Boy Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. James Hancock (b. 1838), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 22

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Thomas Hancock, American 3rd Class passenger from Bisbee, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23

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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dunvegan-castle
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/