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Oke History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Oke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Oke is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived near a notable oak tree or near a group of oaks. The surname Oke is derived from the Old English word ac, which means oak. The surname Oke belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Oke family

The surname Oke was first found in Somerset where Oake is a village and civil parish that dates back to before the Norman Copnquest when it was listed as Acon in 897. The place was listed as Acha in the Domesday Book 1 and literally means "place at the oak trees" from the Old Englisk word "ac" 2

Early History of the Oke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oke research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1606, 1631, 1640, 1644, 1645, 1662, 1675, 1680, 1681 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Oke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oke Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Oke has been spelled many different ways, including Oak, Oake, Oakes, Oke, Okes and others.

Early Notables of the Oke family

Notables of the family at this time include

John Okey (1606-1662), an English soldier, Member of Parliament, one of the regicides of King Charles
Nicholas Okes (died 1645), an English printer in London, best remembered for printing works of English Renaissance drama including works by William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, John Webster, Thomas Middle...

Oke migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Okes to arrive in North America:

Oke Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Eva Oke, aged 4, who immigrated to the United States from England, in 1902
John Oke, aged 45, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1908
Gordon Oke, aged 25, who settled in America from Southampton, England, in 1910
J. H. Oke, aged 34, who settled in America from London, England, in 1915
Thomas Oke, who immigrated to the United States, in 1920
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Oke migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Oke Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Miles Oke, aged 23, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1913
Alice Oke, aged 24, who settled in Change Islands, Newfoundland, in 1916
Mary Oke, aged 22, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1921
Lilla Belle Oke, aged 26, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1923
Edward Oke, aged 52, who immigrated to Botwood, Newfoundland, in 1923
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Oke migration to Australia +

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

Oke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Philip Oke, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "David Malcolm" in 1848 3
Mr. William Oke, (b. 1822), aged 27, Cornish farm labourer from St. Columb, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Vincent" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 11th March 1849 4
Mrs. Elizabeth Oke, (b. 1825), aged 24, Cornish settler from St. Columb, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Vincent" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 11th March 1849 4
Mr. Harrold Oke, (b. 1847), aged 2, Cornish settler from St. Columb, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Vincent" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 11th March 1849 4
Miss Emiline Oke, (b. 1848), aged 1, Cornish settler from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Vincent" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 11th March 1849 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Oke (post 1700) +

Tosin Oke (b. 1980), English-born, five-time gold medalist Nigerian track and field athlete
Leslie Warner Oke (b. 1877), Canadian politician in Ontario
Femi Oke (b. 1966), British television presenter and journalist
Janette Oke (b. 1935), Canadian author from Champion, Alberta, Canada

The Oke 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: Quercus robur salus patria
Motto Translation: The strength of the oak is the safety of our country.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DAVID MALCOLM - EMIGRANT SHIP - 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848DavidMalcolm.htm
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