Docher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Docher

What does the name Docher mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Docher come from its first bearer, who was a trapper of small game; it literally means "cut the hare's tail," from the Old English words dokc, which meant "cut off," and hare, a word that has not changed meaning.

Early Origins of the Docher family

The surname Docher was first found in Cumberland where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Docher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Docher research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Docher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Docher 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. Docher has been spelled many different ways, including Docker, Dockwra, Dockray, Dockwray, Dockrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Docher family

More information is included under the topic Early Docher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Docher family to Ireland

Some of the Docher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Docher migration to the United States +

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 Dochers to arrive in North America:

Docher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joh Peter Docher, who landed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1761 1

The Docher 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: Semper eadem
Motto Translation: Always the same.

Sources +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)