Surname Willcockson - Meaning and Origin

Willcockson: What does the surname Willcockson mean?

The surname Willcockson is an English patronymic surname derived from the personal name Willcock, which is thought to have originated from medieval English sources. The given name Willcock is derived from the Old English personal name Wilcoc, which means 'desired in battle'. This surname is associated with a clan in the Western Isles of Scotland. The clan was believed to have originated from Ireland and migrated to Scotland during the 12th century.

The Willcockson clan moved around the Isles frequently, settling in various places, and the name can still be found there to this day. The surname has also spread to other parts of the British Isles, particularly England and Wales. In England, the surname is associated with several locations in the West Midlands, such as Birmingham, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The surname Willcockson is thought to be mostly a middle class name, as it seems to have originated with small landowners who moved to larger manors to increase their wealth. This could explain why the name remains relatively common throughout England and the Western Isles of Scotland. Today, many families with the surname Willcockson continue to use the name proudly in remembrance of their ancestors.

Willcockson: Where does the name Willcockson come from?

The surname Willcockson is a fairly uncommon name that is mainly found in parts of the United States, particularly in Texas and the Midwest. It is also seen in parts of Canada, specifically in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Its origin is likely English, coming from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture, and is derived from the personal name William.

The name first appears in the United States in the early nineteenth century with the arrival of John Willcockson in 1818. He was probably of British descent, and the name has been suggested as a corruption of Williowson, a name recorded in Lancashire in the sixteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century, it was found in most states and Canadian provinces.

The Willcockson name is still found in the United States, particularly in Texas, Michigan, and Ohio, but also in every other state in the union. In Canada, the name is mainly confined to the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia, although it can also be found in other provinces.

Today, it is still a fairly uncommon name. It is estimated that there are about 4,000 people living in the United States who bear the name Willcockson. In Canada, the number is even smaller, perhaps a few hundred people. In the twenty-first century, its usage has probably declined, but the name is still found in the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Willcockson

The variants, spellings and surnames of origin for the surname Willcockson are numerous and varied. The surnames which could have descended from the original writing of Willcockson include, but are not limited to: Willcocks, Wilcox, Wilcoxson, Wilcoxen, Wilkens, Wilkenson, Wilkerson, Wilkingson, Wilckson, Wilcxson, Wilkson, Wilkisson, Wilkeson, Wilken, Wilkso, Wilkewski, Wilkes, Wilckens, Willix, Willixson, Wilksen, Willcock, Willettson, Willeterson, Willitson, Willits, Willette, Willetts, Willet, Wilcoxman, Wilcoxmen, Wilcoxsonne, Wilcoxsonnes, Wilcocksen, Wilcocksonnes, Wilkescott, Wilcockscott, Willecockson, Willec Xu, Wilkehcard, Wilkhcard, Wilclark, Wilkarchard, Wilkinscard, Wilcheson, Wilchekson, Wilchinson and Wilchescard.

The origin of the surname is generally assumed to be English, although other countries and regions may also possess variants. There is evidence to suggest that Willcockson was a name given to a person who worked in a Willcox, a village shop or business. Eventually, the name Willcockson became synonymous with the Willcox. It's also possible the name was derived from the Old English name Wilcok, which refers to a wild boar, and the son or descendant of the Wild Boar.

Certainly, Willcockson can refer to the descendants of several lines of families unified by a common ancestor, as many families or households during the Middle Ages adopted a variation of a family name of their direct forbears. As a result, there is a history of numerous branches of Willcockson surnames with diverse origins that are now known around the world.

Famous people with the name Willcockson

• Chris Willcockson: He is a famous comedy writer who has written for television shows such as The Office, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock.
• David Willcockson: He is a renowned classical composer who wrote the "Christmas Truce" suite, which was inspired by the iconic 1914 Christmas truce in World War I.
• Ben Willcockson: Ben is an award-winning cinematographer who has worked on many popular films and television shows, including the Star Wars saga and The Walking Dead.
• Gerald Willcockson: Gerald is a celebrated musician and producer who has worked with popular artists such as Justin Timberlake and John Legend.
• Lee Willcockson: Lee is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer who has created artwork for books, magazines, and video games.
• Elizabeth Willcockson: Elizabeth is a noted fashion designer who has dressed celebrities such as Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Kim Kardashian for the red carpet.
• Josh Willcockson: Josh is a professional skateboarder and entrepreneur who was featured in the Sundance film Skaters vs. Zombies.
• Joe Willcockson: Joe is a successful actor who has starred in films and television shows such as The Hunger Games and Bones.

Other surnames

Willcocks