Surname Willcox - Meaning and Origin
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Willcox: What does the surname Willcox mean?
The last name Willcox is of English origin, and is derived from the Old English elements wilc, meaning "stream," and coxa, meaning "hawk." Essentially, it means "streamhawk," likely indicating that the original bearers of the name were one who had a hawk living near a stream, likely for hunting. Primarily, it is thought to have been used as a locational name in England to denote someone who was from a place that had a stream-dwelling hawk.
Willcox is quite an unusual surname, though it has been passed down the generations from its English origins. It is likely that the surname was carried to America by immigrants who wished to avoid the religious persecution they faced in their native country. Today, the surname can be found in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in multiple forms.
The meaning behind the surname has a bit of a whimsical sense to it, and there is an air of mystery surrounding the identity of the original holders of the name. According to the data, the name is considered to be rare, and takes on a unique, individualist vibe when carried on by one of its proud bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisWillcox: Where does the name Willcox come from?
The last name Willcox is most commonly found today in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is an anglicised variant of the German surname Wilcke which means "willow creek".
The Willcox surname is particularly frequent in the south-eastern United States such as Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. It can also be seen in other American states like California, Texas, and New York. Across the pond in the United Kingdom, Willcox can be found in regions such as Lincolnshire, Lancashire, and Shropshire.
The Willcox lineage is believed to have come from settlers in Kent, England, which was a region known for its large number of Saxon citizens during the 16th century. From there, the name spread to other territories, as various lineages crossed the ocean to the shores of America during the 19th century.
The prolific Willcox lineage has yielded a number of celebrities who have adopted the name, from artists, actors, and directors such as Evelina Willcox and Sam Willcox, to British Olympic figure skater and multiple-time world champion, Christopher Willcox.
Variations of the surname Willcox
The surnames Willcox, Wilcox, Willcocks, Wilcocks, Wolchok, Wilcoxe, and Willkox are variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These surnames originated from a number of different English, Welsh, and Scots-Irish sources.
The Willcox surname derives from an old Saxon personal name elements "wil" meaning "desire" and "coc" meaning "cook". It was also used a term of endearment such as "the son of William." In England, the Willcox family was found in northern counties of Staffordshire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire. It is also possible that the surname derived from a Topographic name “at the willow copse” or was locality named. It is likely that some members of the family exchanged the name for Wilcox and further variations.
In Wales, Olchog is the Welsh version of the personal name and became a surname. From the Welsh word olchog, the English word Wolchok evolved.
The Scots-Irish family named Wilcocks, usually as a result of emigration from England. The Irish Wilcox family have many different origins. They may have originated in England, Scotland, Ireland or from an Anglicization of the Irish Ó Maolchobhair.
No matter the origin, all of these surnames have a common ancestor and have evolved from a shared origin. The different spellings and surnames are often used interchangeably, and with the help of genealogical research, it is possible to trace their shared connections.
Famous people with the name Willcox
- Autumn Willcox: actress/producer.
- Ben Willcox: former British Army officer and current CEO at The Centre for Mental Health.
- Bridger Willcox: actor and model.
- Christina Willcox: author, stylist, and custom bridal designer.
- David Willcox: retired pilot and United States Navy Rear Admiral.
- Dean Willcox: former professional Canadian football offensive lineman.
- Derek Willcox: former professional Canadian football wide receiver.
- Don Willcox: former American basketball coach.
- George Willcox: former American NFL player.
- Heather Willcox: singer-songwriter.
- Hiscox Willcox: British amateur rower.
- Ian Willcox: English footballer.
- Jimmy Willcox: former American Football player.
- Joanne Willcox: alternative country singer-songwriter.
- John Willcox: former British Army major.
- Jonathan Willcox: American producer.
- Joseph Willcox: British Olympic athlete.
- Keith Willcox: English Prop making, making puns, and puppet salvaging.
- Kelsey Willcox: biathlete.
- Martha Willcox: Hollywood actress.
- Michael Willcox: former English football goalkeeper.
- Mike Willcox: former Australian rules footballer.
- Nathan Willcox: American author, motivational speaker, and public figure.
- Rhys Willcox: former Australian rules footballer.
- Robert Willcox: American actor.
- Roger Willcox: former English footballer.
- Scott Willcox: former English footballer.
- Stephen Willcox: professional musician.
- Tracy Willcox: professional golfer.
- Vann Willcox: professional wrestler.