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Tuke History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Tuke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Tuke family, who lived in Touques in the arrondissement of Pont L'Evesque, at the mouth of the river so called in Normandy. "Le Seigneur de Touque appears on the list of those who fought under William the Conqueror both in the Norman Chronicle and in the Romati de Rou." 1

Early Origins of the Tuke family

The surname Tuke was first found in Yorkshire where Toc or Toka (no forename) was listed in the Domesday Survey of 1086. 2 Wace, the historian, mentions the Baron Touque as amongst the Companions of Duke William, at Hastings in 1066.

Other early entries for the family include: Rogerus filius Toke, who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland in 1214; Wrange Tocha in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk in 1166; Henry Thoche in Lincolnshire in the 12th century; Robert Toke in the Pipe Rolls for Suffolk in 1200; William Toke in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland in 1211; and Robert Touk, who was found in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1325. 3

"The surname is found spelled in 17 different ways. One of the most ancient is Toke, as preserved in the Godington family for many centuries. The Tookes of Hurston Clays, co. Sussex, of London, Herts, Dorset, &c., proven descendants of that house, have employed this orthography from the XVI. century." 4

"In Nottinghamshire the Toukes were to be found for about three hundred years. William de Tulc, or Tuke, during the reign of Stephen, held of Ralph Silvain in Kelham, part of the great Richmond Fee, and was a benefactor of Rufford Abbey. His son William confirmed and added to his gifts, and he gave account of two marks, for having his land again, whereof he was disseized for being in Nottingham Castle, as most of our Nottinghamshire gentry were at that time, with Earl John." 1

Henry, his heir, was living in 1218, and was followed by two Sir Walters, father and son, then by another Henry, and a Simon, mentioned in 1337.

There is a Kentish family of this name, derived from Robert de Toke, who was present with Henry III. at the battle of Northampton in 1264. His greatgrandson was seated at Westcliffe in Kent; and from him, in the fifth generation, descended John Toke of Bere, living in the reigns of Henry V. and Henry VI.

We would be remiss if we did not address the legendary Friar Tuck. Two royal writs in 1417 refer to Robert Stafford, a Sussex chaplain who had assumed the alias of Frere Tuk. Little more is known about him other than this "Friar Tuck" was still at large in 1429.

Early History of the Tuke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tuke research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1175, 1498, 1545, 1580, 1595, 1598, 1615, 1657, 1663, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1698 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Tuke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tuke Spelling Variations

Before 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 Tuke were recorded, including Tooke, Tocque, Took, Touque, Tuck and others.

Early Notables of the Tuke family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Brian Tuke (d. 1545), secretary to Henry VIII, he was apparently son of Richard Tuke (d. 1498?); Thomas Tuke (c.1580-1657), an English clergyman and controversial writer, of Royalist views in late...

Tuke migration to the United States +

The 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 Tuke arrived in North America very early:

Tuke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Chri Tuke, aged 16, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 5
Edmond Tuke, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 5
James Tuke, who landed in Virginia in 1664 5

Tuke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Tuke, who arrived in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1769 5

Tuke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Tuke, aged 48, who landed in New York in 1812 5

Tuke migration to Australia +

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

Tuke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Dianne Tuke, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Constance" 6
Diana Tuke, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1849 6

Tuke 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:

Tuke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J. Tuke, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Belle Creole" in 1853
John Tuke, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
Eliza Tuke, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Tuke (post 1700) +

James Hack Tuke (1819-1896), English philanthropist, born at York, son of Samuel Tuke
Daniel Hack Tuke (1827-1895), English physician, born at York, youngest son of Samuel Tuke and Priscilla Hack of Chichester
Dame Margaret Jansen Tuke D.B.E., M.A. (1862-1947), British Principal of Bedford College, London University
William Tuke (1732-1822), English Quaker philanthropist
Samuel Tuke (1784-1857), English psychiatric reformer
Henry Scott Tuke (1858-1929), British painter and photographer

The Tuke 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: Militia mea multiplex
Motto Translation: My warfare is manifold.

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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.
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Constance.htm