Hancox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the name Hancox date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from from the baptismal name for the son of John, which was originally derived from the diminutive form Hann, a popular English name derived from the Flemish Hann, when translated means John. The suffix cock was added to the surname to indicate familiarity.

Early Origins of the Hancox family

The surname Hancox was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was Hanecock Birunc who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Warynus Hancok, Robert Hancok, Willelmus Hancok and Agnes Hankok as all living in Yorkshire at that time. 1

Farther south in Devon, John Hancock was Warden of St Mary's College, Ottery St Mary in 1446.

Early History of the Hancox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hancox research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1631, 1654, 1676, 1692, 1693, 1699, 1701, 1703, 1707, 1714, 1721, 1723, 1726, 1737, 1772, 1792, 1793 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Hancox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hancox Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hancox include Hancock, Hancox, Hancocks, Hancocke, Handcock and others.

Early Notables of the Hancox family

Notables of the family at this time include John Hancock (1737-1793), president of the Continental Congress, the first signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Because his signature was so legible, the expression "John Hancock" meaning signature evolved.Crang & Hancock, were noted organ builders. John Crang, a Devonshire man, settled in London and became a partner with Hancock, a good voicer of reeds. The latter added new reeds to many of Father Smith's...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hancox Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hancox family to Ireland

Some of the Hancox family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hancox migration to Australia +

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

Hancox Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Hancox, English convict from Worcester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 2
William Hancox, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 3

Hancox 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:

Hancox Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Hancox, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Henry Hancox, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Sarah Hancox, aged 28, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Elizabeth Hancox, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Alice Hancox, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hancox (post 1700) +

Ben Hancox, English violinist, co-founder of the Sacconi String Quartet in 2001
Mitchell John "Mitch" Hancox (b. 1993), English professional footballer
Stuart Hancox, English award-winning literary translator
Allan Robin Winston Hancox (1932-2013), English-born jurist, Chief Justice of Kenya (1989-1993)

Historic Events for the Hancox family +

HMS Royal Oak

William Hancox, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 4

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CLEVELAND 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Cleveland.htm
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html