Show ContentsPokock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Pokock surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a proud or gaudy person. The surname Pokock is derived from the various Old English words pecok, pacok, pocok, pehen, and pohen, which all mean peacock. 1

Early Origins of the Pokock family

The surname Pokock was first found in Essex where Pecoc was name of a Domesday tenant in Essex in 1086. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the widespread use of the name throughout ancient Britain: Geoffrey Pokoc, Cambridgeshire; Hugh Pokok, Oxfordshire; and Robert Pokoc, Lincolnshire. 1 In Somerset, Walter Pokok and Roger Pokok were listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

Early Cornish records show Roger Paucoc and Roger Paucoc, Pecoc in the Pipe Rolls of 1194. Richard Pocok was listed in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1225 and Simon Pacock was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1297. Robert Pecok (Paycock) was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 4

This name is "found in several parts of England, but its great home is in the North Riding [of Yorkshire], especially in the districts of Richmond and Northallerton. It was represented as Pocok, Pokoc, Pokok, and Pecock in the 13th century in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk; in the last two counties it is still well established. Speaking generally, this name characterizes the eastern half of England." 5

In Scotland, the first entry of the family in interesting: "A gift of six pennies annually was made from the toft of Roger Pacok in Annan in thirteenth century." 6 This source goes on to note "Andreas Pacok was presbyter and notary public in the diocese of St. Andrews, 1311-1321, and the name appears frequently in the parish register of Dunfermline, 1561-1700, as Paycok (1564) and Paicok (1572). Thomas Pacok had grant of a third part of the land of Quhitfeilde in the barony of Lyntounrothrike in 1378, and another Thomas Pacok was elevated to chaplain in 1426. " 6

Early History of the Pokock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pokock research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1512, 1536, 1585, 1591, 1596, 1598, 1601, 1604, 1631, 1652, 1673, 1682, 1691, 1706, 1707, 1714, 1718, 1724, 1725, 1733, 1738, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1757, 1792, 1843 and 1911 are included under the topic Early Pokock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pokock 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. Pokock has been spelled many different ways, including Pocock, Pococke and others.

Early Notables of the Pokock family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir George Pocock (1706-1792), British admiral, son of Thomas Pocock, chaplain in the navy, was born on the 6th of March 1706, and entered the navy under the protection of his maternal uncle, Captain Streynsham Master (1682-1724), in the " Superbe " in 1718. He became lieutenant in April 1725, commander in 1733, and post-captain in 1738. After serving in the West Indies he was sent to the East Indies in 1754 as captain of the " Cumberland" (58) with Rear-Admiral Charles...
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pokock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pokock family

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 Pokocks to arrive in North America: John Pocock, who arrived in New England in 1661; Richard Pocock, who settled in Barbados in 1679; Christopher Pocock, who arrived in Barbados in 1679.



The Pokock 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: Regi regnoque fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful to king and kingdom.


  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)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. 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.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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