Hitchcoc History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of HitchcocWhat does the name Hitchcoc mean? Hitchcoc is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a 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 Hitchcoc familyThe surname Hitchcoc 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 Hitchcoc familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hitchcoc research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1739, 1775, 1776 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Hitchcoc History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hitchcoc Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hitchcoc were recorded, including Hitchcock, Hichcock, Hiscock, Hiscox, Hitchcocke, Hedgecock, Hitchcoke, Hitchcott and many more. Early Notables of the Hitchcoc familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was
Migration of the Hitchcoc familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hitchcoc arrived in North America very early: Lillibett and William Hitchcocke, who came to in Virginia in 1623; Matthew, Thomas, and William Hitchcock, who settled in New England in 1635; Richard Hitchcox, who settled in Virginia in 1636.
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