Surname Cooksey - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Lineage and Unearthing Connection: My Experience with iGENEA DNA Test as a Cooksey

My journey with the iGENEA DNA test turned out to be enlightening and fascinating. I learned about my family lineage, traced my last name back to its ancient English roots, and connected with other Cookseys worldwide. Despite the overwhelming novelty, iGENEA ensured good privacy management, a straightforward test, and exceptional customer service.

D. Cooksey

Cooksey: What does the surname Cooksey mean?

The surname Cooksey is of English origin and is considered topographic. It stems from an area in Worcestershire called Cooksey, which was possibly named after an Old English personal name, Coc, combined with "eg", meaning "island," "dry ground in marsh," or "water meadow." So, the surname could translate as "Coc's island" or "Coc's water meadow." The name suggests that the original bearers lived or worked in such a location. Additionally, Cooksey may have been an occupational name for someone who was a cook in a big house or a monastery. The name was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from very early times. Like many surnames, over centuries, it has evolved, and different variations like Cooksley and Cookslee have been discovered. Still, the core essence of the name remains tied to its geographical and occupational roots.

Cooksey: Where does the name Cooksey come from?

The surname Cooksey originates from England. It is derived from an Old English place name, Coccesei, which consists of two elements - the personal name "Cocc" and "eg" meaning island. Cocc was a common pre-7th-century name for children with red or ruddy complexions. So, the literal meaning is "Cocc's Island." In England, Cooksey was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The surname was recorded in various forms, such as Cocksey, Cockesey, and Cooksey in the early documents.

Today, the surname Cooksey is most common in the United States, particularly in the Southern regions. Kentucky, Tennessee, and Oklahoma are among the states with a higher concentration of people with the Cooksey surname. Other places include England and Australia, but to a lesser prominence. As such, the distribution of the Cooksey surname can be found mainly in English-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Cooksey

The surname Cooksey is an old name, and it's thought to have originated from Britain. Some of the common variations of this surname include Cooksy, Cooksie, Cocksey, and Coksey.

Occasionally, people with this surname have also alternated between the endings 'ey' and 'ea', thus creating the variants Cookseay, Cooksy, in addition to the common Cooksey spelling. Its Anglican variants such as Cookseye, Cook’s eye, Cookesey, and Cookkie have also been used over time. Some regional variants of this surname can be seen as well. For instance, in Scotland, it might transform into Cocksie or Coocksie.

Historically, last names evolved as a way to group people by occupation, birthplace, clan, or personal characteristics. The Cooksey surname was most likely an occupational one related to the profession of a cook, originating from the Old English word 'coc' meaning a cook, and 'eg' meaning island, thus, 'cook's island'. So it's plausible that last names with similar meanings in different languages, e.g., Cook's Island in any language, could also be considered variants.

However, it's essential to remember that many genealogical records may have different spellings due to phonetic inaccuracies, making tracking surname origins challenging.

Famous people with the name Cooksey

• Bobby Cooksey: An acclaimed American stuntman known for his work in Die Hard With a Vengeance, National Treasure among others.
• David Joyner Cooksey: Famous football player known for his time with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
• George Cooksey: A renowned British journalist and newsreader, particularly noted for his work with London Weekend Television.
• Danny Cooksey: An American actor and singer best known for his roles in popular television series and films including Diff'rent Strokes, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and The Cavanaughs.
• Adrian Cooksey: A celebrated English footballer who played for several professional clubs across his career including Swindon Town, Bath City, and Salisbury City.
• John Edward Cooksey: An American politician, ophthalmologist, and a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana.
• Amanda Cooksey: An up-and-coming American singer and songwriter known for her country music style.
• Ryan Cooksey: An American baseball player known for his time with the San Francisco Giants.
• Robert Cooksey: An American microbiologist recognized for his work in mycotoxins and fungal biotechnology.
• Kyle Cooksey: A known wildlife expert and television personality from the United States.

Other surnames

CooksieCooksy