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Show ContentsCooke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Cooke. It was a name given to someone who was a cook, a seller of cooked meats, or a keeper of an eating-house. The surname Cooke is derived from the Old English word coc, which means cook. [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Cooke family

The surname Cooke was first found in Essex where the first found record the name was Aelfsige Coc (c.950) who is recorded in an early reference of Anglo Saxon Wills, [3] more than one hundred years before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066.

Galter Coc was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Essex and almost two hundred years later, Walter le Kuc was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1260. Continuing the quest, we found Richard Cok in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1269, Henry Coke in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1279, Ralph le Cook and Joan Cokes in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Robert le Couk was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327 and Roger le Kokes in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1332. [3]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Cocus in Norfolk, Alexander Cocus in Yorkshire, Emma Coca in Cambridgeshire and Matthew Cocus in Oxfordshire. [2]

Ireby in Lancashire was home to another branch of the family. "This place is written 'Irebi' in the Domesday Survey, and then comprehended three carucates of land. In the reign of James I., lived Thomas Cooke de Irebye. The family of Cooke were the former possessors of the Hall, sometimes called Fothergill Hall, and sometimes Nether Hall." [4]

Early History of the Cooke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cooke research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1608, 1660, 1583, 1663, 1616, 1672, 1660, 1672, 1598, 1643, 1640, 1641, 1643, 1683, 1659, 1642, 1700, 1637, 1715, 1683, 1648, 1701, 1721, 1715, 1721, 1717, 1561, 1616, 1797 and are included under the topic Early Cooke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cooke 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 Cooke have been found, including Cooke, Cook, Cocus and others.

Early Notables of the Cooke family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Cooke (or John Cook, John Coke, 1608-1660), the first Solicitor General of the English Commonwealth and led the prosecution of Charles I; Francis Cooke (1583-1663), one of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower; Captain Henry Cooke (c.1616-1672), an English composer, actor and singer, Gentleman of the Chapel Royal and joined the Royalist cause, Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal (1660-1672); Sir William Cooke of Highnam; his son, Sir Robert Cooke (c. 1598-1643), an English politician Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire (1640) and Tewkesbury (1641-1643); his son, Edward Cooke (died 1683)...
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cooke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cooke World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cooke is the 996th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. [5] However, in Canada, the name Cooke is ranked the 579th most popular surname with an estimated 8,600 people with that name. [6] And in Australia, the name Cooke is the 289th popular surname with an estimated 12,214 people with that name. [7] New Zealand ranks Cooke as 309th with 1,968 people. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Cooke as 185th with 29,937 people. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Cooke family to Ireland

Some of the Cooke family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Cooke 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. Among the first immigrants of the name Cooke, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Cooke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Cooke, who landed in Virginia in 1617 [10]
  • William Cooke, who landed in Virginia in 1618 [10]
  • Francis Cooke, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1620 [10]
  • Alice Cooke, who landed in Virginia in 1620-1621 [10]
  • John Cooke, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cooke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edward Cooke, who arrived in Virginia in 1701-1702 [10]
  • Samuel Cooke, who landed in Virginia in 1703 [10]
  • Abra Cooke, who landed in Virginia in 1706 [10]
  • Katherine Cooke, who arrived in Virginia in 1712 [10]
  • Susanna Cooke, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cooke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Cooke, who arrived in America in 1801-1802 [10]
  • David Cooke, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 [10]
  • Hugh Cooke, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [10]
  • Daniel Cooke, aged 23, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1826 [10]
  • James Cooke, who arrived in New York in 1831 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cooke Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Willie Cooke, (b. 1882), aged 23, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Negaunee, Michigan, USA [11]

Canada Cooke migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cooke Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Christopher Cooke, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Mrs. Cooke, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Cooke, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Christopher Cooke who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 1749 and 1752
  • Mrs. Lydia Cooke U.E. born in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, USA who settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick c. 1783 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cooke Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ebenezer Cooke, who arrived in Canada in 1830
  • Munson Cooke, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Bridget Cooke, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
  • John Cooke, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Cooke Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Henry Cooke, (b. 1879), aged 26, Cornish rancher travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Calgary, Alberta, Canada [11]
  • H Cooke, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Australia Cooke migration to Australia +

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

Cooke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Elizabeth Cooke, (b. 1774), aged 27, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1817 [13]
  • Mr. James Cooke, (b. 1763), aged 38, Irish convict who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
  • Robert Cooke, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. Charles Cooke, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • John Cooke, English convict from Worcester, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Cooke migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Cooke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Cooke, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide [17]
  • E Cooke, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide [17]
  • John Cooke, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Mandarin
  • John George Cooke, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
  • John Cooke, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Cooke migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [18]
Cooke Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Edward Cooke, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [19]

Contemporary Notables of the name Cooke (post 1700) +

  • Marcia Gail Cooke (1954-2023), American lawyer and jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2022-2023)
  • John Byrne Cooke (1940-2017), American author, musician, and photographer, son of Alistair Cooke, and the great-grandnephew of Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Charles Montague Cooke Jr., (1874-1948), American malacologist, son of Charles Montague Cooke
  • Charles M. Cooke Jr., (1886-1970), U.S. admiral, commander of the 7th Fleet
  • Bates Cooke (1787-1841), American lawyer and politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York (1831-1833), New York State Comptroller (1839-1841)
  • Amos Starr Cooke (1810-1871), American educator and businessman in the Kingdom of Hawaii, founder of the Royal School and Castle & Cooke in Hawaii
  • Alistair Cooke (1908-2004), British journalist and broadcaster, best known in the United States as the host of PBS Masterpiece Theatre from 1971 to 1992
  • Emma Cooke (b. 1884), American three time sliver Olympic medalist for archery at the 1904 Summer Games
  • Brigadier-General Elliot Duncan Cooke (1891-1961), American Chief Overseas Inspection Division, Office of the Inspector-General (1942-1946) [20]
  • Lawrence Henry Cooke (1914-2000), American Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1979 to 1984
  • ... (Another 34 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Thomas Cooke, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking [21]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Frederick Arthur Cooke (1919-1939), British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [22]
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. Thomas Henry C. Cooke (b. 1898), Welsh coal miner from Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

Suggested Readings for the name Cooke +

  • The Family of Elisha Cooke by Florence Adelaine Newberry.
  • Things That Count-The Story of the Cooke Family by Velma Cooke.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. 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)
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  17. Shadow Time Settlers (Retrieved 5th November 2010), retrieved from http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/settlers.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
  20. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 23) Elliot Cooke. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Cooke/Elliot_Duncan/USA.html
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
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