Surname Hocks - Meaning and Origin

Hocks: What does the surname Hocks mean?

The last name Hocks is of English origin and is considered to be a metonymic occupational name. The term ‘hock’ is derived from the Old English term 'hoh', which denotes a geographical feature such as a spur of a hill or a ridge of land that projects over a river valley. The term was later used to describe an instrument of torture or a hock. The surname 'Hocks' in particular, may have referred to a practitioner or a maker of such instruments, or an individual who lived by such a geographical feature. However, like many surnames, it may not necessarily denote a direct association with the occupation or location it references. Instead, it could also be associated with a family's historical or genealogical lineage. It is also important to note that last name meanings can vary greatly depending on different regional, historical, and cultural factors.

Hocks: Where does the name Hocks come from?

The surname Hocks is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German 'hoch' meaning 'high' or 'tall', commonly used as a nickname for a tall person. It is also a topographic name for those who lived in a high or elevated place. Alternative spellings include Hoch, Hochs, Hoche, Hoh, Hoeh, Hoehs, Hack, Hach, and others. Over time, many Germans migrated across Europe and the world, spreading their surnames.

Today, this surname is spread across various countries, most commonly in the United States, followed by Netherlands, Canada, Germany, and Belgium among others. Despite its origin, it is not exceedingly common in Germany, likely due to the wide dispersion of German descendants and the variations on the spelling of the name. Remember, the prevalence of a name can rapidly change due to the migration patterns of families, marriages, and other factors that lead to name changes. Therefore, it's not guaranteed that the most occupied regions remain the same over time. In many Western nations, you can find the surname Hocks, but in lesser frequency, making it a relatively uncommon surname.

Variations of the surname Hocks

The surname Hocks may have several spelling variations, similar surnames, and surname origins due to reasons such as translations from different languages, different dialects, and even misspellings. It is most commonly believed to have German roots, tracing back to the personal name Hoc, which means "spear".

The variations of Hocks may include: Hock, Hoch, Hoche, Hok, Hauck, Hauch, Huck, and Huch. Surnames such as Hawk, Hauk, Heck, and Hecke might also be of the same root and thereby related.

In addition, this surname may be anglicized from the Ashkenazic Jewish name Hoch, which also has local origins from German or Dutch places named with Hoch 'high'.

The surname Hock could also be a variant of the English topographic name for someone who lived by a bend or angle, from the Old English 'haca', or a habitational name from any of the various places named with this word, such as Hoxa in Orkney. English Hucks might also be a patronymic from the medieval personal name Hoc.

Consider variability due to region-specific sounds, different alphabets, historical events, and cultural adaptations when exploring surname variants or origins. Always keep in mind that surname origins and variants could be complicated and multifaceted.

Famous people with the name Hocks

• Matthew Hocks: Actor, director and producer.
• Luana Hocks: Brazilian singer and songwriter.
• Ryan Hocks: American actor, writer, producer, and director.
• Diana Hocks: German author and illustrator.
• Liam Hocks: British singer and recording artist.
• Emile Hocks: German composer and orchestrator.
• André Hocks: Brazilian film and TV composer.
• Tessa Hocks: American humanitarian and adventurist.
• Lucinda Hocks: Australian folk musician.
• George Hocks: American film producer and director.
• Matt Hocks: Canadian film producer and director.
• Rusty Hocks: American actor and comedian.
• Rosemary Hocks: Canadian songwriter and producer.
• Mark Hocks: English writer and comedian.
• Macon Hocks: American actor and voice actor.
• Kelly Hocks: American singer/songwriter.
• Tom Hocks: American landscape architect.
• Diane Hocks: British architect and academic.
• Alisa Hocks: American visual artist and painter.
• Truman Hocks: American illustrator and animator.

Other surnames

HockHockaufHockauffHockelHockenHöckenschniederHockerHöckerHockeridgeHockersmithHockertHöckertHockertsHockertzHockettHockinHockingHockleyHocknerHöcknerHockridgeHockstadderHockstadterHockstedlerHockstetlerHockstetter