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Hocken History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Hocken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Hocken emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Hocken is derived from Hocc, a pet form of the Old English personal name Hocca. This pet form is supplemented by the diminutive suffix -el. 1

Another source claims "the Hokings, according to Ferguson, were a Frisian people, and derived their name from one Hoce, mentioned in the poem of Beowulf." 2

And another source notes "Hawkins, Hockin, and Hocking are familiar Cornish variants of Hawkin." 3

Early Origins of the Hocken family

The surname Hocken was first found in Cornwall where the first record of the family was Robery Hokyn who was listed on the Ministers' Accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall in 1297. A few years later, John Hokyn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. Many years later, Christopher Hockins and Abel Hockinge were listed on the Protestant Returns for Devon in 1642. 1

"There are two gentlemen's seats in the parish of [Lewannick, Cornwall], both of which are ancient; Trewanta Hall, the residence of William Hocken, Esq. and Treliske or Trelaske, the property and abode of Samuel Archer, Esq." 4

Early History of the Hocken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hocken research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1591 is included under the topic Early Hocken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hocken Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Hocking, Hockin, Hockings, Hockins, Hokings and many more.

Early Notables of the Hocken family

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

Hocken migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Hocken:

Hocken Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Grace Hocken, (b. 1853), aged 52, Cornish settler from Parrenwell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th August 1905 en route to Riddlesburg, Pennsylvania, USA 5
Mr. John Hocken, (b. 1848), aged 57, Cornish miner from Parrenwell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th August 1905 en route to Riddlesburg, Pennsylvania, USA 5

Hocken migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hocken Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Hocken, (b. 1836), aged 19, Cornish shoemaker, from St. Mabyn, Cornwall, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 6
Mr. James (John) Hocken, (b. 1831), aged 24, Cornish carpenter, from St. Mabyn, Cornwall, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 6

Hocken migration to Australia +

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

Hocken Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Oliver Hocken, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aboukir" in 1847 7
John Hocken, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pakenham" in 1849 8
William Hocken, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pakenham" in 1849 8
Elizabeth Hocken, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Pakenham" in 1849 8
William Hocken, aged 34, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sea Park" 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hocken 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:

Hocken Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Eliza Hocken, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Spray of the Ocean" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st September 1859 10
Miss Elizabeth Hocken, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Spray of the Ocean" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st September 1859 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Hocken (post 1700) +

Father Peter Hocken (b. 1932), American Roman Catholic priest, Executive Secretary of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (1988-1997)
Sheila Hocken (b. 1978), English writer, best known for her book Emma & I, an autobiography that details her growing up as a blind child; her works inspired the film Second Sight: A Love Story (1984)
Thomas Morland Hocken (1836-1910), English-born, New Zealand collector, bibliographer and researcher; his collection of more than 4,000 printed volumes, as well as photographs, manuscripts and maps in held in the Hocken Collection at the University of Otago
Mat Hocken, former New Zealand under 21 Rugby International player
Horatio Clarence Hocken (1857-1937), Canadian politician, 36th Mayor of Toronto (1912-1914), Member of the Canadian Parliament for Toronto West (1917-1925), Senator for Toronto, Ontario (1933-1937)

The Hocken 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: Hoc in loco Deas rupes
Motto Translation: Here God is a rock.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ABOUKIR 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Aboukir.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The PAKENHAM 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Pakenham.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SEA PARK 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/seapark1852.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html