Show ContentsCoxs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Coxs Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Coxs

What does the name Coxs mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Coxs come from its first bearer, who was a person who bore a fancied resemblance to a rooster. It was applied both to early risers and those who strutted proudly. "Thus 'cock' became the general sobriquet of a sharp and forward lad." 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived as "a term of endearment, a diminutive, the same as ot or kin, used as a termination." 2

Early Origins of the Coxs family

The surname Coxs was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Aluuinus Coc was recorded in Cambridgeshire in 1066. In London, Coc de domo Abraham was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1192. Later in Lincolnshire, Koc filius Pertuin was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1230 and Cock le Botiller was found in Cambridgeshire in 1281. Koc Forester and Kok de mari were both found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. William and Godard le Cock were registered in Staffordshire in 1271 and Thomas le Cok was listed in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1285. 3 In Shropshire, the first record of the family was found the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Coc de Slepe. 1

"Though also scattered about the midland counties, Cox finds its great home in the south of England in the contiguous counties of Dorset and Somerset. It is fairly numerous in the counties of Gloucester, Oxford, and Warwickshire. Rare or absent in the north of England and in the eastern coast counties." 4

Early History of the Coxs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coxs research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1546, 1547, 1552, 1572, 1575, 1578, 1581, 1595, 1596, 1609, 1617, 1646, 1650, 1655, 1703, 1707, 1727, 1733, 1734, 1827, 1868 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Coxs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coxs Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Coxs has been spelled many different ways, including Cox, Coxe and others.

Early Notables of the Coxs family

Richard Cox (c. 1500-1581), English clergyman, Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Ely, Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1547-1552); Charles Cocks (1646-1727), British Member of Parliament for Droitwich and Worcester; Robert Cox (died 1655), a 17th century English actor, known...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coxs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coxs family to Ireland

Some of the Coxs family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 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 Coxs family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Coxss to arrive in North America: William Coxe, who settled in Virginia in 1610; Anne Coxe, who settled in Maryland in 1633; James Cox, who came to Virginia in 1652; Henry Cox, who settled in Maryland in 1653.
  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. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.

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