Show ContentsHanncyck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Hanncyck family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Hanncyck 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 Hanncyck family

The surname Hanncyck 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 Hanncyck family

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

Hanncyck 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 Hanncyck include Hancock, Hancox, Hancocks, Hancocke, Handcock and others.

Early Notables of the Hanncyck 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 Hanncyck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hanncyck family to Ireland

Some of the Hanncyck 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.

Migration of the Hanncyck 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 Hanncyck or a variant listed above: Edward Hancock settled in Barbados in 1654; George Hancock settled in Virginia in 1654; John Hancock settled in Virginia in 1635; Robert Hancock settled in Barbados in 1654.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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