Show ContentsStockman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Stockman emerged in the German province of Westphalia, nestled between the Rhine and Wesser rivers. Hereditary surnames that were derived from nicknames were particularly common in this region. Nickname surnames came from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. Stockman is a name for a person who was extremely unyielding. The name Stockman is derived from the German word "stoc," which meant "stubborn." The name was also of local origin and it referred to a person who resided near an unusual tree. In this instance, the name is also derived from the word "stoc," which also referred to the stem or trunk of a tree.

Early Origins of the Stockman family

The surname Stockman was first found in Westphalia and northern Germany, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of this large region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. Chronicles first mention Hans op den Stocken of Halver in 1599, and the variation Stoecken is found frequently in Hanover.

Early History of the Stockman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stockman research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1603, 1636, 1730, 1761, 1787, 1821, 1831, 1837, 1841 and 1863 are included under the topic Early Stockman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stockman Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Stockman include Stockmann, Stockman, Stoeckmann, Stockmayer, Stockmeyer, Stockmair, Stockmar and many more.

Early Notables of the Stockman family

Notables of the period with the name Stockman were

  • Paul or Paulus Stockmann (1603-1636), a German academic, preacher and hymn-writer, he was court preacher to Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, before dying of the plague in 1636
  • Johann Heinrich Stockmann, a major in the Austrian army, who was ennobled in 1761 for his outstanding service and loyalty. The Baron Christian Friedrich Stockmar (1787-1863) was the personal physician...

Stockman Ranking

In the United States, the name Stockman is the 5,142nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Stockman migration to the United States +

After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them:

Stockman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Philip Stockman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • David Stockman, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 2
  • William Stockman, who arrived in New York in 1789 2
  • Justuz Christ Stockman, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1794 2
  • George Stockman, who landed in Frederick County, Maryland in 1794 2
Stockman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Henry Stockman, who arrived in Allegany County, Pennsylvania in 1854 2
  • Elizth Stockman, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1862 2
  • Charles Stockman, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1862 2
  • Nicholas Stockman, aged 40, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1868 2

Canada Stockman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stockman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Charles B Stockman, who arrived in Canada in 1837

Australia Stockman migration to Australia +

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

Stockman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Stockman, British Convict who was convicted in Exeter, Devonshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Mr. John Stockman, English convict who was convicted in Maidstone, Kent, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 28th March 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) from Bermuda 4

New Zealand Stockman 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:

Stockman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Solomon Stockman, aged 37, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 5
  • Esther Stockman, aged 39, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 5
  • Caroline Stockman, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 5
  • Augustus Stockman, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Stockman (post 1700) +

  • Gerald R. Stockman, American attorney and politician, New Jersey Senator (1982-1992)
  • Lowell Stockman (1901-1962), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon (1943-1953)
  • Peter Stockman Ph.D., American Head of the James Webb Space Telescope Mission Office
  • Phil Stockman, American Major League Baseball player
  • David Alan Stockman (b. 1946), American politician and businessman, serving as U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan 1977-1981 and as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 1981-1985
  • Harry James Stockman (b. 1919), American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1960 6
  • Elenor C. Stockman, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1920 6
  • Mrs. E. T. Stockman, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1924 6
  • Dora Hall Stockman (1872-1948), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State Board of Agriculture, 1920-31; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Ingham County 2nd District, 1939-46 6
  • David Alan Stockman (b. 1946), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Michigan 4th District, 1977-81; Resigned 1981 6
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradford City stadium fire
  • Trevor John Stockman (1947-1985), from Brighouse who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
  • Jayne Ashley Stockman (1969-1985), from Bradford who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and she died in the fire
  • Craig Albert Stockman (1971-1985), from Bradford who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Reginald Stockman, British Engine Room Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 7
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Harold William Stockman, American Fire Controlman Third Class from Idaho, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 8


Suggested Readings for the name Stockman +

  • Stockman-Gallison Ancestral Lines: 114 Lines of Early New England Settlers by Katherine Dickson.
  • The Stockman Story by Katherine Dickson.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bangalore
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  8. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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