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

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In Ireland, the name Cox is generally derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Choiligh," which means "son of the cock or rooster;" the name was often Anglicized as Cox.

Early Origins of the Cox family

The surname Cox was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Cox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cox research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1558, 1650, 1675, 1733, 1770 and 1837 are included under the topic Early Cox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cox Spelling Variations

Scribes and church officials, lacking today's standardized spelling rules, recorded names by how they were pronounced. This imprecise guide often led to the misleading result of one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Cox are preserved in documents of the family history. The various spellings of the name that were found include MacQuilly, McQuilly, MacQuilley, McQuilly, MacQuillie, McQuillie, Quilley, Quilly, Quillie, Cox, Coxe and many more.

Early Notables of the Cox family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • Sir Richard Cox (1650-1733), Governor of County Cork, and later, Lord Chancellor of Ireland...
  • Walter Cox (1770-1837) was a gunsmith and editor of a newspaper, who resided in New York...

Cox World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cox is the 64th most popular surname with an estimated 273,570 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Cox is ranked the 296th most popular surname with an estimated 14,849 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cox is the 203rd popular surname with an estimated 206 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Cox as 73rd with 32,579 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Cox as 137th with 3,503 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Cox as 69th with 65,578 people. 6 Netherlands ranks Cox as 441st with 3,772 people. 7

United States Cox migration to the United States +

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name Cox:

Cox Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Lasse Cox, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1627 8
  • Richard Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1627 8
  • Jon Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1634 8
  • Miss Ann Cox, (1610 - 1638), who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" married Thomas Greene 8
  • Jon Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 8
  • Susanna Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
  • James Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
  • Justin Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1705 8
  • Tho Cox, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1712 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Cox, who arrived in America in 1804 8
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in New York, NY in 1805
  • Edward Cox, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 8
  • Edward L Cox, aged 26, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1812 8
  • James Cox, aged 46, who landed in Delaware in 1812 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Jabez Cox, (b. 1872), aged 28, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1900 en route to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 9
  • Mr. Samuel Cox, (b. 1865), aged 36, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th September 1901 en route to Utah, USA 9
  • Mr. Edward John Cox, (b. 1858), aged 45, Cornish machinist travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 9
  • Miss Katie Cox, (b. 1885), aged 19, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th June 1904 en route to California, USA 9

Canada Cox migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cox Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Eliza Cox, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Cox, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • Catharine Cox, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • Patrick Cox, who died on route to Grosse Isle Quebec where his death was registered in 1847
  • Mr. Denis Cox, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 10
  • Mr. George Cox who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Cox migration to Australia +

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

Cox Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Cox Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Catherine Cox, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. Thomas Cox, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. William Cox, English convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Joseph Cox, English convict who was convicted in Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Thomas Cox, (b. 1802), aged 17, English dealer who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he was killed in 1823 after escaping with another convict 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Cox 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:

Cox Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • G Cox, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1814 aboard the ship Lady Nugent
  • Mr. G. Cox, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 17
  • James Cox, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Ann Cox, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Robert Cox, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cox (post 1700) +

  • Brian Cox CBE (b. 1946), Scottish actor, teacher and director, winner of two Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, nominated for numerous other awards, currently known for his leading role in Succession (2018-)
  • Archibald Cox (1912-2004), American politician, 31st United States Solicitor General (1961-1965), as Special Prosecutor he oversaw the federal criminal investigation into the Watergate burglary later known as the Watergate scandal
  • Jerome Rockhold Cox Jr. (1925-2023), American computer pioneer, scientist, and entrepreneur, known for his work in biomedical computing, multimedia communications, and computer networking
  • Laverne Cox (b. 1972), American actress best known for Orange Is the New Black, nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and Emmy Award, she won the Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special. She was honored by GLAAD with its Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her work as an advocate for the transgender community
  • Landon "Sonny" Cox (1938-2020), American jazz alto saxophonist
  • Landon "Sonny" Cox (1938-2020), American jazz alto saxophonist
  • William “Ted” Cox (1955-2020), American third baseman who played Major League Baseball from 1977 through 1981
  • Frederick William Cox (1938-2019), American professional football kicker who played 15 seasons in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings
  • Richard Threlkeld Cox (1898-1991), American professor of physics at Johns Hopkins University, known for Cox's theorem relating to the foundations of probability
  • Erin Nealy Cox (b. 1970), American attorney, United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (2017-)
  • ... (Another 290 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Samuel Alan Cox (d. 1914), British Writer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18
  • Miss Henrica Maria Cox (1884-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Flight TWA 800
  • Miss. Monica Eileen Cox (1980-1996), aged 16, from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA, American student from Montoursville flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 20
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. Richard N. Cox (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 21
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Florence  Cox (1875-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Hillsborough disaster
  • Tracey Elizabeth Cox (1965-1989), English speech science student who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and she died from her injuries 23
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. John Lionel Cox (1919-1941), Australian Signalman from Huonville, Tasmania, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Harold William Cox (1920-1941), Australian Acting Leading Stoker from Uralla, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Stanley K Cox (b. 1920), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Woking, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Leslie L Cox (b. 1912), English Ordinary Coder serving for the Royal Navy from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. John F Cox (b. 1917), English Wireman serving for the Royal Navy from Wimbledon, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Cyril A Cox (b. 1917), Scottish Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Trelaw, Glasgow, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Arthur J Cox (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Reading, Berkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. William Henry Cox, British Lead Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. John Cox, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Charles Henry Cox, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
HMS Royal Oak
  • Henry P.T. Cox, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 27
  • Edwin Cox (1922-1939), British Boy 1st 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 27
Monongah Mine
  • Mr. William R. Cox (b. 1873), Slavic coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 28
RMS Lusitania
  • Master Desmond Francis Cox, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping on life boat 15 it is believed 29
  • Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Cox, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping on life boat 15 it is believed 29
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. William Denton Cox (d. 1912), aged 29, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 30
St. Francis Dam
  • John Joseph Cox, American resident in Santa Clarita who survived when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
USS Arizona
  • Mr. John M. Cox Jr., American Lieutenant Commander working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 31
  • Mr. William Milford Cox, American Seaman First Class from Kentucky, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31
  • Mr. Gerald Clinton Cox, American Musician Second Class from Illinois, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

The Cox 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: Fide et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.

Suggested Readings for the name Cox +

  • Ambrose N. Cox, Sr., Descendants, 1772-1972 by Elza B. Cox.
  • The Cox-Bates Family and Related Families by Ruby Cox Eddleman.
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  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  10. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  19. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  20. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
  21. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
  22. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  23. Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
  24. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  25. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  27. 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
  28. Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).
  29. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  30. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  31. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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