Cookston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Cookston

What does the name Cookston mean?

Cookston is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a son of a cook. 1 Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Norman French word cok, which means cook.

"One of the few instances of the addition of the termination son to a profession or employment." 2

Early Origins of the Cookston family

The surname Cookston was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where they were originally from Settle. 3

While there is no doubt that this is the area that the family anciently hailed from, we must look to Suffolk for the first record of the family in ancient rolls. The Curia Regis Rolls of 1208 include an entry for Hugo filius Coci. Over the ages, the "filius" name often became the suffix "son" when the use of Latin in surnames became less popular. 1

A few years later, the Assize Rolls for Northumberland included an entry for Gilbert le Fiz Kew, Fiz le Keu in 1279. and much later, Agnes Cukeson was listed in Yorkshire in 1511. 1

Early History of the Cookston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cookston research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1273, 1379, 1609, 1636, 1654, 1677, 1679, 1682, 1704, 1735 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Cookston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cookston Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cookston were recorded, including Cookson, Cuckson, Cockson, Coxon and others.

Early Notables of the Cookston family

Thomas Cookson or Coxon (fl. 1609-1636), one of the earliest English engravers, who left a large number of portraits engraved in a dry, but neatly finished manner. 4 Another Thomas Coxon (1654-1735), was an English Jesuit, a native of the county of Durham. 4 Captain John Coxon (fl. 1677-1682), was a buccaneer, one of the most famous...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cookston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cookston family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cookston family emigrate to North America: John Cookson who settled in Virginia in 1774; Craven Cookson settled in America in 1830; Thomas Coxson settled in St. Christopher in 1635; Thomas Coxson settled in Virginia in 1637.

The Cookston 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: Nil desperandum
Motto Translation: Never despairing.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print