Cucko History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Cucko

What does the name Cucko mean?

The name Cucko comes from a name for a man whose wife had been unfaithful. The surname Cucko is derived from the Old English words cukeweld and cokewold, which in turn were derived from the Old French words cucuald and cucualt, which mean cuckold.

"This variant of the surname did not last long" 1 but from this root the various variants were derived. Another source claims that this origin is not the case and the name was in fact "a corruption of the local name Cockswold." 2

Early Origins of the Cucko family

The surname Cucko was first found in Gloucestershire, where they seated from ancient times. The first records of the family include Ulrie Cucuold c. 1095 in Bury and William Cucuel who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1221. Later, Henry Cockewald was listed as holding lands in Lancashire in 1324. 3

Later still, Cecilia Cokwald was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

Early History of the Cucko family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cucko research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1273, 1324, 1434, 1656 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Cucko History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cucko Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cucko include Cuckold, Cuckoo, Cucuel, Cucku, Cuckle, Cokewald, Cuckow and many more.

Early Notables of the Cucko family

Distinguished members of the family include

William Cuckow, rector of Thurning in Norfolk in the 15th century

Migration of the Cucko family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cucko or a variant listed above: Richard Cockwell, who arrived in Virginia in 1622; Thos. Cuckoo, who arrived in New York in 1830; Willm Cockwell, who settled in Ontario in 1871; and James Cockwell, who came to Ontario in 1871..

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)