The name Cockay is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the village of Cochagh. The place-name was originally derived from the Old English word cocc, which literally means someone who lived by a hill or haycock, a mound of fresh cut hay left to dry in the meadow.
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Early Origins of the Cockay family
The surname Cockay was first found in Somerset, where they held a family seat from the Middle Ages.
Early History of the Cockay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockay research. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Cockay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cockay Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Cockay are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Cockay include: Cochey, Cockey, Cocheye, Cocagh and others.
Early Notables of the Cockay family
More information is included under the topic Early Cockay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Cockay family
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Cockay or a variant listed above: Thomas Cockey who arrived in St. Christopher in 1634.
