Willcocks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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 Willcocks or a variant listed above:

Willcocks Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• John Willcocks, who arrived in Hartford, Connecticut in 1635 5
• Mathew Willcocks, who landed in Maryland in 1679 5

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Willcocks Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Elisha Willcocks Jr., U.E., (Elijah, Wilcox, Willcox) who settled in Canada c. 1784 6

Willcocks Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mrs. Ann Willcocks, (b. 1820), aged 35, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 7
• Mr. Edward Willcocks, (b. 1843), aged 12, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he died in the sinking 7
• Miss Sarah A. Willcocks, (b. 1844), aged 11, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 7

Willcocks Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Japhet Willcocks, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
• William Willcocks, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1848 9
• Mr. William Willcocks, (b. 1805), aged 43, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 1st January 1850, arriving in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, he died in 1850 aboard the ship 10
• William Willcocks, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Hooghly" 11

• William Willcocks, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County, 1793-94 12
• Henry Willcocks, American politician, Postmaster at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1795-96 12
• General Sir James James Willcocks GCB, GCMG, KCSI, DSO (1857-1926), British Army officer who spent most of his career in India and Africa, Governor of Bermuda (1917-1922)
• Dianne Marie Willcocks CBE (b. 1945), British academic, Vice-Chancellor of York St John University
• Sir William Willcocks (1852-1932), British irrigation engineer who proposed and built the first Aswan Dam
• Lieutenant General Sir Michael Willcocks KCB, CVO (b. 1944), British General, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the UK House of Lords
• Joseph Willcocks (1773-1814), Irish-born, Canadian publisher, politician and soldier who was charged with treason during the War of 1812
• Jonathan Willcocks (b. 1953), British composer and conductor of the Portsmouth Choral Union and Chichester Singers
• Sir David Valentine Willcocks CBE, MC (1919-2015), British choral conductor and composer, Director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge (1957-1974), father of Jonathan Willcocks