COCKER

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Cocker

Cocker is an English surname with possible origins in the medieval period. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English term "cocc," which referred to a young boy or a rooster. The surname may have originated as an occupational name for a poultry farmer or someone who worked with game birds.

The Cocker surname is primarily found in the North of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Over time, various branches of the Cocker family may have spread to other regions of the United Kingdom and beyond.

Notable individuals with the surname Cocker include the renowned English musician Joe Cocker (1944–2014), known for his soulful and distinctive voice, as well as his contributions to the rock and blues genres.

The name "Cocker" continues to be borne by families across Britain and in various parts of the world wherever the English diaspora has reached. It remains a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, reflecting the country's historical and cultural heritage.

There are approximately 3,233 people named Cocker in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,807th most common surname in Britain. Around 50 in a million people in Britain are named Cocker.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Christopher
David
James
John
Jonathan
Michael
Paul
Peter
Robert
Stephen

Female

Christine
Elizabeth
Emma
Jean
Julie
Karen
Margaret
Mary
Rachel
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.