Show ContentsCoggshill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Coggshill has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in Cockhill, in Yorkshire. It is from the place-name that the family name is derived.

Early Origins of the Coggshill family

The surname Coggshill was first found in North Yorkshire, at Cockhill (Cock Hill) where the earliest known bearer of the name was Ralph de Coghull, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1286. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Elizabetha de Cokhill and Johannes de Cockhill. 1 There is another Cockhill in Somerset but this was the ancient home of the Carey family. 2

Early History of the Coggshill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coggshill research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1633, 1673, 1692 and 1738 are included under the topic Early Coggshill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coggshill Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Coggshill have been found, including Coghill, Coggshill, Cockhill, Cogdill, Cogdell and others.

Early Notables of the Coggshill family

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

Ireland Migration of the Coggshill family to Ireland

Some of the Coggshill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Coggshill migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Coggshill, or a variant listed above:

Coggshill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Coggshill, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1822


The Coggshill 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: Non dormit qui custodit
Motto Translation: No sleep for those on guard.


  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. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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