Cuckson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Cuckson

What does the name Cuckson mean?

The name Cuckson comes from a name for 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 Cuckson family

The surname Cuckson 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 Cuckson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cuckson 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 Cuckson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuckson Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cuckson include Cookson, Cuckson, Cockson, Coxon and others.

Early Notables of the Cuckson 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 Cuckson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuckson migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cuckson or a variant listed above:

Cuckson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Cuckson, aged 17, who settled in America from Ldn., in 1892

Cuckson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Tom Stanley Cuckson, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Rotherham, England, in 1922

Contemporary Notables of the name Cuckson (post 1700) +

Robert Cuckson (b. 1942), English-born, American composer and pianist

The Cuckson 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