Show ContentsDockry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Dockry surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family 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 Dockry family

The surname Dockry 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 Dockry family

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

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

Early Notables of the Dockry family

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

Ireland Migration of the Dockry family to Ireland

Some of the Dockry 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.

Migration of the Dockry 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 Dockrys to arrive in North America: John Docker who settled in Virginia in 1623; as well as Harry, James, and William Docker, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1870.


Contemporary Notables of the name Dockry (post 1700) +

  • Patrick Dockry, American founder and executive producer of Health Beauty Life
  • L. E. Dockry, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 1936 1


The Dockry 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.


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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