Hokey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Hokey name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Hokey was originally derived from a family having lived in the regions of Hockley in Essex and Wales. The surname Hokey originally derived from the Old English word hoccsleah which referred to someone who lived close to hills. 1

The Hockey variant was derived from the "Anglo-Saxon personal name Hoc, Hoc(c)a, with the diminutive suffix -y." 2

Early Origins of the Hokey family

The surname Hokey was first found in Essex at Hockley, a parish, in the union and hundred of Rochford, about 2¼ miles from Rayleigh. 3 4 5 This place dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Hocheleia. 6

And this is where we found Michael de Hockele listed in the Feet of Fines for 1203. Over one hundred years later in Worcestershire, Nicholas de Hockelaye was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 7

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only listing for the family, that of William de Hokkele in Huntingdonshire. 8 In Somerset, Thomas de Hokkeleghe was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 9

Early History of the Hokey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hokey research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1273, 1593, 1606 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Hokey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hokey Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hokey include Hockley, Hockly, Hokeley, Hokelley and others.

Early Notables of the Hokey family

More information is included under the topic Early Hokey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hokey family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: James Hockley settled in Maryland in 1634; Thomas Hockley settled in New England in 1765; Thomas Hockley and wife settled in New York in 1820; David Hockley settled in Bermuda in 1850..

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.