Dockray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Dockray is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name. It was a name given to a person 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 Dockray family

The surname Dockray 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 Dockray family

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

Dockray Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Dockray has appeared include Docker, Dockwra, Dockray, Dockwray, Dockrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Dockray family

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

Migration of the Dockray family to Ireland

Some of the Dockray 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.

Dockray 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:

Dockray Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Samuel Dockray, aged 28, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Hannah Dockray, aged 32, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Margaret Dockray, aged 9, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Ann Dockray, aged 3, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Thomas Dockray, aged 1, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842

Contemporary Notables of the name Dockray (post 1700) +

Mary Dockray -Miller (b. 1965), American scholar of early medieval England, best known for her work on gender in the pre-Conquest period
Tracy Dockray (b. 1962), American artist who illustrated the current Harper Collins editions of Beverly Cleary's children's novels
Graham John Dockray FMedSci FRS (b. 1946), British physiologist, and Professor of Physiology at University of Liverpool

The Dockray 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.