Cockett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Cockett family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Norfolk. The family was originally from Cochett in Calvados, Normandy, and it is from their residence in this location that the name derives.

Early Origins of the Cockett family

The surname Cockett was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cockett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockett research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1631 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Cockett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cockett Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cockett were recorded, including Cocket, Cockett and others.

Early Notables of the Cockett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Edward Cockett

Cockett migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Cockett arrived in North America very early:

Cockett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Cockett, who landed in Virginia in 1635 1
Sand] Cockett, who landed in Virginia in 1639 1
John Cockett, who arrived in Virginia in 1643 1
Henry Cockett, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 1
Hen Cockett, who landed in Virginia in 1657 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cockett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Ralph Cockett, who arrived in New England in 1701
Francis, Henry and John Cockett, who settled in Virginia in 1730

Cockett migration to Australia +

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

Cockett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Cockett, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Cockett (post 1700) +

Marguerite Standish Cockett M.D., (1878-1954), American physician, archer, author, artist and World War I ambulance driver
Noelle E. Cockett, American geneticist and academic, President of Utah State University (USU)
John Ashley Cockett (b. 1927), English Olympic bronze medalist field hockey for Cambridge University (1951-1953)
Richard Cockett (b. 1961), British historian, journalist and writer, regional editor of The Economist
Elwin Wesley Cockett (b. 1959), British Anglican priest and chaplain, Archdeacon of West Ham in the Diocese of Chelmsford (2007-)

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia