Handcox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Handcox comes 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 Handcox family

The surname Handcox 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 Handcox family

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

Handcox Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Handcox were recorded, including Hancock, Hancox, Hancocks, Hancocke, Handcock and others.

Early Notables of the Handcox 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" meaning signature evolved.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 Smith's...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Handcox Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Handcox family to Ireland

Some of the Handcox 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.

Handcox migration to Canada +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Handcox family emigrate to North America:

Handcox Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Edmond Handcox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1837

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)