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Hockin History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Hockin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Hockin emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Hockin is derived from Hocc, a pet form of the Old English personal name Hocca. This pet form is supplemented by the diminutive suffix -el. 1

Another source claims "the Hokings, according to Ferguson, were a Frisian people, and derived their name from one Hoce, mentioned in the poem of Beowulf." 2

And another source notes "Hawkins, Hockin, and Hocking are familiar Cornish variants of Hawkin." 3

Early Origins of the Hockin family

The surname Hockin was first found in Cornwall where the first record of the family was Robery Hokyn who was listed on the Ministers' Accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall in 1297. A few years later, John Hokyn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. Many years later, Christopher Hockins and Abel Hockinge were listed on the Protestant Returns for Devon in 1642. 1

"There are two gentlemen's seats in the parish of [Lewannick, Cornwall], both of which are ancient; Trewanta Hall, the residence of William Hocken, Esq. and Treliske or Trelaske, the property and abode of Samuel Archer, Esq." 4

Early History of the Hockin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hockin research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1591 is included under the topic Early Hockin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hockin Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Hocking, Hockin, Hockings, Hockins, Hokings and many more.

Early Notables of the Hockin family

Prominent in the family at this time was

Hocking of Devon

Hockin migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Hockin:

Hockin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. John Hockin, (b. 1807), aged 30, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship"Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 5
Mr. William Hockin, (b. 1829), aged 22, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 30 April 1851 5
John Hockin, aged 59, who landed in America from Bridgewater, in 1893
Mary Hockin, aged 30, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1897

Hockin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Kathleen M. Hockin, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1904
Miss Gertrude C. Hockin, (b. 1887), aged 18, Cornish settler from Polperro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 23rd April 1905 en route to Wilbraham, Massachusetts, USA 6
Mr. John Hockin, (b. 1857), aged 48, American citizen from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 6
Mr. Thomas Hockin, (b. 1870), aged 35, American slater from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 6
Percy Hockin, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Plymouth, England, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hockin migration to Australia +

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

Hockin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Christopher Hockin, (b. 1827), aged 22, Cornish labourer from Sithney, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Osprey" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 22nd March 1849 7
Mrs. Thomasine Hockin, (b. 1823), aged 26, Cornish settler from Sithney, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Osprey" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 22nd March 1849 7
Mr. Henry Hockin, (b. 1815), aged 36, Cornish farm labourer travelling aboard the ship "Harry Lorreguer" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 14th March 1851 8
Mrs. Charlotte Hockin, (b. 1822), aged 29, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Harry Lorreguer" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 14th March 1851 8
Miss Frances Hockin, (b. 1845), aged 6, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Harry Lorreguer" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 14th March 1851 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hockin 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:

Hockin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Grace Hockin, (b. 1840), aged 23, Cornish settler departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 9
Mr. Richard Hockin, (b. 1842), aged 21, Cornish farm labourer departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Hockin (post 1700) +

Ben Hockin (b. 1986), Colombian bronze medalist freestyle swimmer and the 2011 Pan American Games
Robert Hockin (1846-1925), Canadian political figure in Nova Scotia
Johnny Hockin, Canadian television personality
Thomas A. "Tom" Hockin PC (b. 1938), Canadian academic, businessman and former politician

The Hockin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Hoc in loco Deas rupes
Motto Translation: Here God is a rock.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_1850_59.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf