Hichcock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Hichcock is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hichcock family name comes from the personal name Richard. It is composed of the elements Hitch, which is a pet form of the name Richard, and the suffix -cock, a medieval term of endearment. 1

In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, in the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. However, by the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions.

Early Origins of the Hichcock family

The surname Hichcock was first found in various shires and counties throughout Britain. One of the first records of the name was simply listed as Hichecoc with no personal name in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1260. 2

A similar entry with no personal name appeared in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 for Yorkshire as Hichecok. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire listed Richard Hichecokes there in 1327 and John Higecok was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire in the same year. William Hygecok, Hichecok were listed in 1329 and 1360. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus Higecok. 1

Early History of the Hichcock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hichcock research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1739, 1775, 1776 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Hichcock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hichcock Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hichcock have been found, including Hitchcock, Hichcock, Hiscock, Hiscox, Hitchcocke, Hedgecock, Hitchcoke, Hitchcott and many more.

Early Notables of the Hichcock family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Daniel Hitchcock (1739-1777), American attorney and graduate of Yale University. He was first appointed lieutenant colonel in command of the regiment when it marched to serve in the Siege of...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hichcock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hichcock migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Hichcock were among those contributors:

Hichcock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Julia Hichcock, aged 10, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 3
Eliz Hichcock, aged 5, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 3
Sarah Hichcock, aged 17, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 3
Fanny Hichcock, aged 45, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 3
Drew Hichcock, aged 7, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hichcock migration to Australia +

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

Hichcock Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

E. M. Hichcock, Brisith settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Osterley" in 1921 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Hichcock (post 1700) +

Stephen Hichcock, American production assistant, known for his work on Flourtown (2008)

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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx