Show ContentsGrocock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Grocock family

The surname Grocock was first found in Worcestershire where the family was first referenced in the year 1275 when Margeria Groucok was listed as holding lands in the Subsidy Rolls at that time. William Grucock was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1312. 1

The Grew, Grue and Grow variants have a slightly different origin. They hail from Yorkshire where the "surname is derived from a nickname, 'the grew,' 'Grew, a greyhound." 2. "It is worth noticing, however, that my instances are from Yorkshire. Henry III in 1350 spent his Christmas at York. In the expenditure for that visit appears the provision of '7000 fowls, 1750 partridges, 125 swans, 115 'grues' (an unknown bird), 125 peacocks, 290 pheasants,' &c.; v. Miss Holt's paper in Christmas number of The Fireside, 1887. As every other bird in the list is a familiar surname to-day, there is no reason why the 'grue' should not be the same." 3

Reviewing the aforementioned Groucock and Grucock entries point strongly to the use of the name as a "bird."

Indeed the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 confirm the "northern" origin for this variant as Johannes Grewe; Johanna Grewe; and Agnes Grewe are all listed as holding there at that time. 3

Early History of the Grocock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grocock research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1312, 1455, 1487, 1607, 1641, 1689 and 1712 are included under the topic Early Grocock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grocock Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Growcock, Growcott, Groucott, Groucock, Growcot, Grocot, Grewcot, Grocott, Groocot, Groocott, Grewcott, Grew, Grewe, Grucock, Grucott, Grucot, Groow and many more.

Early Notables of the Grocock family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grocock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Grocock migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Grocock Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Bridget Grocock, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Grocock, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • William Grocock, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Australia Grocock migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Grocock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Grocock, English convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
  • Mr. John Winfield Grocock, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Blundell" on 13th March 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Grocock (post 1700) +

  • Mr. Brian Grocock (b. 1936), British councillor, held the position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 2008 to 2009


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Halliwell, James Orchard. A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial WordsLondon: John Russel Smith, Old Compton Street, Soho, 1848, Digital, 2 Vols
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blundell


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