The name Horrex is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It is a name for someone who worked as a shipwright or a sailor. The surname Horrex is derived from the Old English word horrok, which means part of a ship. [1]
Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.
The surname Horrex was first found in Lancashire at Horrocksford. [2]
"This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'Of Horrocks,' probably the spot known as Horrocksford Hall, in the parish of Clitheroe, Lancashire." [3]
The first record of the family was actually found in Berkshire where John Horroc was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horrex research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1584, 1596, 1604, 1777, 1619, 1641, 1639, 1619 and 1617 are included under the topic Early Horrex History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Horrex are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Horrex include: Horrocks, Horrock, Horrox, Horrocksford, Horrex and others.
Notables of the family at this time include Jeremiah Horrocks (1619-1641) English astronomer, born in Liverpool, who became curate of Hoole, Lancashire where he made his first observation of the transit of Venus on November 24, 1639. He then deduced the solar parallax, corrected the solar diameter and made tidal observations.
He was "born at Toxteth Park...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Horrex Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Horrex or a variant listed above: Thomas Horrocks settled in Virginia in 1635; George, Jeremiah Horrock and George, Henry, John, Thomas, William Willoughby, Wright Horrocks, arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1860..