Show ContentsSnooks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Snooks is most likely derived from the Old English word "snoc," which is a projecting piece of land. There is also a popular tale that the surname came from the place name Sevenoaks, in Kent, which was often pronounced "Se noaks." The town's name is derived from the Saxon word "Seouenaca", the name given to a small chapel near seven oak trees in Knole Park around 800 AD

Early Origins of the Snooks family

The surname Snooks was first found in Kent where Eduuardus Snoch was listed in 1066 in the Domesday Book. Other early references include Stenesnoc in Hampshire, and John and Thomas Snok in the Domesday of St. Paul's in 1222. Later records show Robert Shouk in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. 1

And it is from this latter reference that the relationship to the aforementioned "Sevenoaks" is best shown. For it is here that Sussex deeds show a family of Snooks having many spelling variations from Sevenoaks to S'noaks. The name was pronounced "Sennocke" at the time and this pronunciation is still used at times in various places.

Early History of the Snooks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Snooks research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Snooks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Snooks Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Snooks, Snook, Snooke, Snookes, Snouke, Snoukes and others.

Early Notables of the Snooks family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Snooks of Devon


United States Snooks migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Snooks Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Mary Snooks, aged 36, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. Orson Snooks, aged 1, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Snooks Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Snooks, aged 21, originally from Milton Hill, England, who arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 2
  • Thomas Snooks, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Armorel" from Gibraltar, Spain 2
  • George Snooks, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Royal George" from Southampton, England 2

New Zealand Snooks 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:

Snooks Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Snooks, aged 37, a labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Chile" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Snooks (post 1700) +

  • James Blackman "Robert" Snooks (1761-1802), English highwayman, reputedly the last to be hanged, in Boxmoor on March 11th, 1802; a small memorial stone marks the spot of his execution
  • Thomas James Snooks (1890-1958), Australian developer-builder from Perth
  • Graeme Donald Snooks (b. 1944), Australian systems theorist and stratologist
  • Snooks Eaglin (1936-2009), American guitarist

HMS Hood
  • Mr. William H Snooks (b. 1918), Canadian Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Carsbrook, Newfoundland, Canada, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. W Snooks (d. 1912), aged 26, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 4


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  4. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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