Origin of the surname Nock

This interesting surname is one of a group which can be described as medieval place descriptive. In ancient times certain elements in the landscape were revered. In particular the mighty oak trees, which were often used for meeting places, and formed the centre point of the community. "Nock" is a shortened version of "atten Oak" in the same way that "Nash" means "atten ash." Other forms are Noke, Nock, and Oke, all having essentially the same meaning. Other examples of literal "by-names" are Bitherway (by the road way), Holloway (at the hollow road), and Townsend, although curiously this name has, in many instances, grown with an additional "h" to give the meaningless Townshend.

What is certain is that "Nock" and its variants has had a long and honourable life. Early examples include Henry att Nok in the 1326 pipe rolls of Essex, whilst John atte Noke is recorded in the Sussex Rolls of the same period. In late medieval times the central proposition was dropped giving us the later forms which include examples such as Ann Nock, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Nock, who was christened at St Botolph's Church without Aldergate, London, on August 5th 1683, and Edward Nock, who married Dorothy Willouby at St James Church, Dukes Place, London, on May 7th 1696. The name is occasionally confused in recordings with the Scottish "Knox," a name which developed from the Olde British "cnoc" meaning a hill. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas atten Oke, which was dated 1296, in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, during the reign of King Edward 1, Known as "The hammer of the Scots," 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Nock. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of nock is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of nock leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname nock is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of nock.

The surname Nock around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname nock. There is a considerable probability that nock has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where nock is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname nock provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Nock

The historical chronicle of nock is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named nock are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname nock, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of nock developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname nock.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname nock, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of nock could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about nock and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Nock

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished nocks throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname nock, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname nock were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname nock, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Nock and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of nock. The bibliography collects information related to the surname nock, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of nock are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of nock.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of nock, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Nock