Corkern History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Corkern is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a caulker, a person who waterproofed tubs, barrels, and ships. It is also possibly an occupational name for a person who made and sold a purple dye. However, that origin is in Ireland, and it is unlikely that it is connected to this Northern English name.

Early Origins of the Corkern family

The surname Corkern was first found in Lancashire, now part of the County of Cumbria where the family lived in Barrow-in-Furness, now a large industrial town and seaport community.

While the name has traditionally been understood to be a trade name, there is also a Norman influence as seen by Arnulf de Corcres who was listed in Normandy in the Mang. Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae of 1180-1195. The same reference lists Geoffrey Chorger or Churger in England as listed in the Hundredorum Rolls (Rotuli Hundredorum) c. 1272. 1

Early History of the Corkern family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corkern research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1338, 1549, 1584, 1629, 1636, 1651, 1696, 1700, 1705, 1715, 1722 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Corkern History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corkern 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 Corkern 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. The variations of the name Corkern include Corker, Coroor, Corcher, Corkar and others.

Early Notables of the Corkern family

Notables of the family at this time include Adam le Corker, a prominent 13th century landholder in Yorkshire; James Corker (1636-1715), Benedictine monk, a native of Yorkshire; Maurus (James) Corker (1636-1715) was an...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Corkern Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corkern family to Ireland

Some of the Corkern family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corkern 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 Corkern or a variant listed above: Elizabeth Corker who arrived in Virginia in 1635.

The Corkern 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: Sacrificium Dei cor contritum
Motto Translation: The sacrifice of God is a contrite heart.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)