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Show ContentsCook History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Cook Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Cook

What does the name Cook mean?

The saga of the name Cook follows a line reaching back through history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for someone who worked as a cook, a seller of cooked meats, or a keeper of an eating-house. The surname Cook is derived from the Old English word coc, which means cook. 1 2

Early Origins of the Cook family

The surname Cook was first found in Essex where the first found record the name was Aelfsige Coc (c.950) who is recorded in an early reference of Anglo Saxon Wills, 3 more than one hundred years before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066.

Galter Coc was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Essex and almost two hundred years later, Walter le Kuc was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1260. Continuing the quest, we found Richard Cok in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1269, Henry Coke in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1279, Ralph le Cook and Joan Cokes in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Robert le Couk was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327 and Roger le Kokes in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1332. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Cocus in Norfolk, Alexander Cocus in Yorkshire, Emma Coca in Cambridgeshire and Matthew Cocus in Oxfordshire. 2

Ireby in Lancashire was home to another branch of the family. "This place is written 'Irebi' in the Domesday Survey, and then comprehended three carucates of land. In the reign of James I., lived Thomas Cooke de Irebye. The family of Cooke were the former possessors of the Hall, sometimes called Fothergill Hall, and sometimes Nether Hall." 4

Early History of the Cook family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cook research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1561, 1583, 1598, 1608, 1616, 1637, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1648, 1659, 1660, 1663, 1672, 1683, 1700, 1701, 1715, 1717, 1721, 1734, 1752, 1757, 1758, 1793, 1797, 1802, 1814 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cook Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cook were recorded, including Cooke, Cook, Cocus and others.

Early Notables of the Cook family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • John Cooke (or John Cook, John Coke, 1608-1660), the first Solicitor General of the English Commonwealth and led the prosecution of Charles
  • Francis Cooke (1583-1663), one of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower
  • Captain Henry Cooke (c.1616-1672), an English composer, actor and singer, Gentleman of the Chapel Royal and joined the Royalist cause, Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal (1660-1672)
  • Sir William Cooke of Highnam
  • Henry Cooke (1642-1700), an English artist, employed by the Ironmongers' Company who finished the portrait of Charles II at Chelsea Hospital
  • Elisha Cooke (1637-1715), an early American physician, politician, and businessman who was elected Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1683
  • Sir Anthony Cooke, Tutor to the King
  • Sir William Cookes, 1st Baronet, of Norgrove Court, Worcestershire

Cook World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cook is the 56th most popular surname with an estimated 298,440 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Cook is ranked the 104th most popular surname with an estimated 27,420 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cook is the 141st popular surname with an estimated 269 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Cook as 52nd with 38,232 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Cook as 71st with 4,739 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Cook as 55th with 75,135 people. 10

Migration of the Cook family to Ireland

Some of the Cook family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cook migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cook family emigrate to North America:

Cook Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Francis Cook, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 11
  • James Cook who settled in Maine in 1622
  • Mark Cook, who settled in Maine in 1622
  • Hester Cook, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 11
  • Aaron Cook, who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Mary & John" 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cook Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Abraham Cook, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 11
  • Libby Cook, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 11
  • Tho Cook, who landed in Virginia in 1705 11
  • Cha Cook, who landed in Virginia in 1705 11
  • Fra Cook, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cook Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jos Cook, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 11
  • Daniel Cook, who arrived in America in 1818 11
  • Mr. Cook, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1821 11
  • Jamison Cook, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1828 11
  • Otto Cook, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1828 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cook Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. William J. Cook, (b. 1876), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th May 1900 en route to Biwabik, Minnesota, USA 12
  • Mr. Archibald Cook, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th October 1905 en route to Bingham, Maine, USA 12
  • Melbourne Cook, who landed in Mississippi in 1906 11

Cook migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cook Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Cook who settled in Nova Scotia in 1749 with his wife, son and daughter
  • Christn Cook who settled in Nova Scotia with his wife, son, 2 daughters and servant in 1749
  • Capt Cook, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Charles Cook, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Christn Cook, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cook Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Azel Cook, who landed in Canada in 1828
  • Joseph Cook, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Kittyann Cook, aged 8, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • James Cook, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • James Cook, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cook migration to Australia +

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

Cook Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Cook, (b. 1754), aged 33, English convict who was convicted in England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1847, listed as transferred to the Friendship at Rio de Janeiro 13
  • Mr. William Cook, English convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Cook Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Cook, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. William Cook, English convict who was convicted in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. William Cook, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. John Cook, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Thomas Cook, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cook 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:

Cook Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles John Cook, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
  • W Cook, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
  • C J R Cook, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Mary Ann
  • Edmond Cook, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Clifford
  • H Cook, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cook (post 1700) +

  • James Cook (1728-1779), born in Yorkshire, the famous navigator who explored the St. Lawrence, the shores of Newfoundland, circumnavigated the globe charting New Zealand, Australia and explored much of the Pacific and Southern Ocean. His last voyage was to Hawaii in 1779 where he was killed by the natives
  • Thomas Cook (1808-1892), British railway excursion and tourist pioneer, founder of the travel agency Thomas Cook AG, he organised his first excursion, escorting about 500 people from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841
  • Roger A. Cook (1954-2024), American garden and landscape contractor
  • Kassidy Leigh Cook (b. 1995), American diver, who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Olympics
  • Richard Ernest Cook (1930-2024), American who served as a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1997 to 2001
  • Alicia Augello Cook (b. 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, an American singer and songwriter who has won 15 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, 9 Billboard Music Awards and 7 BET Awards
  • Dwight Cook (b. 1951), American politician who served as a member of the North Dakota Senate for the 34th district from 1997 to 2020
  • Mildred Frances "Carole" Cook (1924-2023), professionally known as Carole Cook, an American actress, active in on screen and stage, best known for appearances on The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy
  • Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Cook (1949-2022), American country music artist, member of the band Alabama, inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019
  • James Richard "Rick" Cook (1944-2022), American author of novels and stories
  • ... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Annie Emma Cook (1871-1914), née Rampling Canadian Second Class Passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 21
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Alfreda  Cook (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 22
HMS Cornwall
  • Stanley Nathaniel Cook (d. 1942), British Painter 4th Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Frank John Joseph Cook, British Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 24
  • Albert Cook (d. 1945), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Vernon Cook (b. 1915), English Blacksmith 4th Class serving for the Royal Navy from Twyford, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Joseph R Cook (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Stoke, Warwickshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. James E Cook (b. 1895), English Chief Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. James Cook (1920-1996), Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Percy Cook, British Electrical Artificer 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Gordon Cook, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
  • Mr. Norman Cook, British Electrician, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
  • Mr. Leonard William Cook, British Royal Air Force, who sailed on board the HMS Repulse (1941) prior to its sinking 27
HMS Royal Oak
  • Sydney Henry Cook, British Stoker Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
  • Frederick N. Cook, Australian Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Australian Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
  • George James Cook (1917-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
  • Frederick Cook, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
  • Dennis S. Cook, British Musician with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. William George Cook, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. George Cook (d. 1912), aged 42, English Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 30
  • Mr. Jacob Cook (d. 1912), aged 43, Russian Third Class passenger from Unknown who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 30
  • Mrs. Selena Cook, (née Rogers), aged 22, English Second Class passenger from Oxford, Oxfordshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 14 30
SS Atlantic
  • Ann Cook, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Caroline Cook, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Edith Cook, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Mr. Edward Cook, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Mr. Frederick W. Cook, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • ... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Lonnie D. Cook, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 31
USS Indianapolis
  • Floyd Edward Cook (1925-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 32

Suggested Readings for the name Cook +

  • The Cook Family Genealogical Record and Their Family Connections by Bill J. Cook.
  • The Cook Family in America: A Family History of Thomas and Milly (Marcum) Cook and Their Descendants of Bedford County, Tennessee (c. 1770-1973) by Jerry Wayne Cook.
  • Cook's Crier, the Franklin Fireplace; Surname Index by Betty Harvey Williams.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. 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)
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  20. Shadow Time Settlers (Retrieved 5th November 2010), retrieved from http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/settlers.html
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  23. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  24. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  25. 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
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  27. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  28. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  29. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  30. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  31. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
  32. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew
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