Dockrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Dockrell

What does the name Dockrell mean?

Dockrell is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for 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 Dockrell family

The surname Dockrell 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 Dockrell family

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

Dockrell Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Dockrell were recorded, including Docker, Dockwra, Dockray, Dockwray, Dockrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Dockrell family

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

Migration of the Dockrell family to Ireland

Some of the Dockrell 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.

Dockrell migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Dockrell family emigrate to North America:

Dockrell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Dockrell, who landed in America in 1740 1

The Dockrell 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)