WILCOCK
Wilcock is a surname of English origin that can be found throughout the British Isles. The name is derived from the medieval given name William, which itself originates from the Old German elements vilga meaning strength of mind and helm meaning helmet. It was introduced into England by the Normans following the Conquest of 1066.
The suffix -cock in the surname is a diminutive form. Historically in Old English it stemmed from cocc and was commonly used to denote a son or a descendant. Consequently, Wilcock can be interpreted as “son of William” or “descendant of William.”
In the medieval period, the name appears in several variations, including Willcock, Wilcocke, Willcocks, and Willcox. The form Wilcock is the one that has persisted into modern times.
The earliest recorded spelling of the family name is attributed to William Wylcock, dated 1254 in the Assizes Court Rolls of Somerset during the reign of King Henry VIII. Over the following centuries, the name is documented in a number of parish records across Essex, such as the marriage of Ellin Wyllcocks to Thomas Brodocke at East Hammingfield on 9 July 1559, Elizabeth Wilcock to Richard Convers at Navestock on 6 August 1573, and Margarett Wilcocke to Richard Wheler at Little Ilford on 10 April 1595.
In the 18th century, a marriage record from St. John’s in Margate shows a union between Mary Wilcox and Pearce Lawrence in 1751. A notable bearer of the name was Joseph Wilcocks (1673‑1756), who served as Bishop of Gloucester from 1721 to 1731, Dean of Westminster, and later Bishop of Rochester from 1731 to 1756.
Today, the surname Wilcock remains in use throughout England and continues to reflect its historical roots as a diminutive of William, signifying both heritage and the enduring nature of English onomastics.
Typical given names associated with the Wilcock surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jean
- Julie
- Laura
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Wilcock in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 6,655 people named Wilcock in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,415th most common surname in Britain. Around 102 in a million people in Britain are named Wilcock.
Surname type: Diminutive
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Wilcock
- John Wilcock - Journalist (1927 to 2018)
- Clifford Wilcock - Politician (1898 to 1962)
- Alfred William Wilcock - Cathedral organist (1887 to 1953)
- George Wilcock - Scottish football player (1890 to 1962)
- Peter Wilcock - Golfer
- Gordon Wilcock - Cricketer
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.