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Show ContentsCox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Etymology of Cox

What does the name Cox mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Cox come from its first bearer, who was a person who bore a fancied resemblance to a rooster. It was applied both to early risers and those who strutted proudly. "Thus 'cock' became the general sobriquet of a sharp and forward lad." 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived as "a term of endearment, a diminutive, the same as ot or kin, used as a termination." 2

Early Origins of the Cox family

The surname Cox was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Aluuinus Coc was recorded in Cambridgeshire in 1066. In London, Coc de domo Abraham was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1192. Later in Lincolnshire, Koc filius Pertuin was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1230 and Cock le Botiller was found in Cambridgeshire in 1281. Koc Forester and Kok de mari were both found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. William and Godard le Cock were registered in Staffordshire in 1271 and Thomas le Cok was listed in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1285. 3 In Shropshire, the first record of the family was found the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Coc de Slepe. 1

"Though also scattered about the midland counties, Cox finds its great home in the south of England in the contiguous counties of Dorset and Somerset. It is fairly numerous in the counties of Gloucester, Oxford, and Warwickshire. Rare or absent in the north of England and in the eastern coast counties." 4

Early History of the Cox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cox research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1546, 1547, 1552, 1572, 1575, 1578, 1581, 1595, 1596, 1609, 1617, 1646, 1650, 1655, 1703, 1707, 1727, 1733, 1734, 1827, 1868 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cox Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Cox has been spelled many different ways, including Cox, Coxe and others.

Early Notables of the Cox family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Richard Cox (c. 1500-1581), English clergyman, Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Ely, Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1547-1552)
  • Robert Cox (died 1655), a 17th century English actor, known for creating and performing the "drolls" that were a permitted form of dramatic entertainment during the English Civil War
  • Thomas Cox (1655?-1734), an English clergyman, topographer and translator

Cox World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cox is the 64th most popular surname with an estimated 273,570 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Cox is ranked the 296th most popular surname with an estimated 14,849 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cox is the 203rd popular surname with an estimated 206 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Cox as 73rd with 32,579 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Cox as 137th with 3,503 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Cox as 69th with 65,578 people. 10 Netherlands ranks Cox as 441st with 3,772 people. 11

Migration of the Cox family to Ireland

Some of the Cox family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cox migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Coxs to arrive in North America:

Cox Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Lasse Cox, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1627 12
  • Richard Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1627 12
  • Jon Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1634 12
  • Miss Ann Cox, (1610 - 1638), who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" married Thomas Greene 12
  • Jon Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 12
  • Susanna Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1703 12
  • James Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1703 12
  • Justin Cox, who landed in Virginia in 1705 12
  • Tho Cox, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1712 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Cox, who arrived in America in 1804 12
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in New York, NY in 1805
  • Edward Cox, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 12
  • Edward L Cox, aged 26, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1812 12
  • James Cox, aged 46, who landed in Delaware in 1812 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Jabez Cox, (b. 1872), aged 28, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th April 1900 en route to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 13
  • Mr. Samuel Cox, (b. 1865), aged 36, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th September 1901 en route to Utah, USA 13
  • Mr. Edward John Cox, (b. 1858), aged 45, Cornish machinist travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 13
  • Miss Katie Cox, (b. 1885), aged 19, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th June 1904 en route to California, USA 13

Cox migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cox Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Thomas Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Cox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Eliza Cox, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cox Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Cox, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • Catharine Cox, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • Patrick Cox, who died on route to Grosse Isle Quebec where his death was registered in 1847
  • Mr. Denis Cox, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 14
  • Mr. George Cox who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cox migration to Australia +

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

Cox Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Cox Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Catherine Cox, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. Thomas Cox, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Cox, English convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Joseph Cox, English convict who was convicted in Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. Thomas Cox, (b. 1802), aged 17, English dealer who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he was killed in 1823 after escaping with another convict 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cox 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:

Cox Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • G Cox, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1814 aboard the ship Lady Nugent
  • Mr. G. Cox, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 21
  • James Cox, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Ann Cox, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Robert Cox, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cox (post 1700) +

  • Brian Cox CBE (b. 1946), Scottish actor, teacher and director, winner of two Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, nominated for numerous other awards, currently known for his leading role in Succession (2018-)
  • Archibald Cox (1912-2004), American politician, 31st United States Solicitor General (1961-1965), as Special Prosecutor he oversaw the federal criminal investigation into the Watergate burglary later known as the Watergate scandal
  • Dorothy Cox (b. 1917), American technician in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Daniel Cox Jr. (1943-2025), known as Sonny Cox, American folk singer and songwriter, best known for his LP album Feel So Good (1974)
  • Wesley Cox (1955-2024), American professional basketball player
  • Jerome Rockhold Cox Jr. (1925-2023), American computer pioneer, scientist, and entrepreneur, known for his work in biomedical computing, multimedia communications, and computer networking
  • Laverne Cox (b. 1972), American actress best known for Orange Is the New Black, nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and Emmy Award, she won the Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special. She was honored by GLAAD with its Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her work as an advocate for the transgender community
  • Landon "Sonny" Cox (1938-2020), American jazz alto saxophonist
  • Landon "Sonny" Cox (1938-2020), American jazz alto saxophonist
  • William “Ted” Cox (1955-2020), American third baseman who played Major League Baseball from 1977 through 1981
  • ... (Another 295 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Samuel Alan Cox (d. 1914), British Writer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
  • Miss Henrica Maria Cox (1884-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Flight TWA 800
  • Miss. Monica Eileen Cox (1980-1996), aged 16, from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA, American student from Montoursville flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 24
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. Richard N. Cox (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 25
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Florence  Cox (1875-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26
Hillsborough disaster
  • Tracey Elizabeth Cox (1965-1989), English speech science student who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and she died from her injuries 27
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. John Lionel Cox (1919-1941), Australian Signalman from Huonville, Tasmania, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Harold William Cox (1920-1941), Australian Acting Leading Stoker from Uralla, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Stanley K Cox (b. 1920), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Woking, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
  • Mr. Leslie L Cox (b. 1912), English Ordinary Coder serving for the Royal Navy from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
  • Mr. John F Cox (b. 1917), English Wireman serving for the Royal Navy from Wimbledon, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
  • Mr. Cyril A Cox (b. 1917), Scottish Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Trelaw, Glasgow, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
  • Mr. Arthur J Cox (b. 1922), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Reading, Berkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. William Henry Cox, British Lead Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
  • Mr. John Cox, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
  • Mr. Charles Henry Cox, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
HMS Royal Oak
  • Henry P.T. Cox, 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 31
  • Edwin Cox (1922-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31
Monongah Mine
  • Mr. William R. Cox (b. 1873), Slavic coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah Mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 32
RMS Lusitania
  • Master Desmond Francis Cox, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping on life boat 15 it is believed 33
  • Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Cox, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping on life boat 15 it is believed 33
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. William Denton Cox (d. 1912), aged 29, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 34
St. Francis Dam
  • John Joseph Cox, American resident in Santa Clarita who survived when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
USS Arizona
  • Mr. John M. Cox Jr., American Lieutenant Commander working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 35
  • Mr. William Milford Cox, American Seaman First Class from Kentucky, 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 35
  • Mr. Gerald Clinton Cox, American Musician Second Class from Illinois, 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 35
USS Indianapolis
  • Alford Edward Cox (1923-1945), 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 36
  • Loel Dene Cox (b. 2015), 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 survived the sinking 36

Suggested Readings for the name Cox +

  • Ambrose N. Cox, Sr., Descendants, 1772-1972 by Elza B. Cox.
  • The Cox-Bates Family and Related Families by Ruby Cox Eddleman.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. 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. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  12. 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)
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  23. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  24. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
  25. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm
  26. 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
  27. Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
  28. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  29. 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
  30. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  31. 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
  32. Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. Retrieved from https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm
  33. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  34. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  35. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
  36. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew

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