Hooke

The surname Hooke is of English origin and thought to have derived from various locations in England such as Hook in Hampshire, Hook in Yorkshire, or Hoek in the Netherlands. The name is also related to the Old English word 'hoc', meaning a projecting piece of land or a hook-shaped feature, suggesting that the original bearers of the surname likely lived near such geographic features.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname was Robert Hooke (1635–1703), a renowned English scientist, architect, and polymath. Hooke made significant contributions to various scientific fields, including physics, biology, and astronomy. He is best known for his work in discovering Hooke's Law of Elasticity, and his influential book "Micrographia", which detailed his observations using early microscopes. Hooke was a contemporary of Sir Isaac Newton, and their relationship and disputes have been well documented.

The surname Hooke has deep roots in English history and genealogy, with numerous notable individuals bearing this name over the centuries. Its historical significance, coupled with the contributions of Robert Hooke, has made it a respected and recognisable British surname.

There are approximately 514 people named Hooke in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Hooke.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

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

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Amanda
  • Anna
  • Barbara
  • Caroline
  • Dorothy
  • Eileen
  • Helen
  • Jean
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Rachel
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Wednesday

Similar and related surnames

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

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