Surname Coxe - Meaning and Origin

Coxe: What does the surname Coxe mean?

The surname Coxe is of English origin and it is a patronymic name derived from the personal name "Cock," a nickname for a young male or a term of endearment used in Middle English times. The addition of an "s" to "Cock" represents "son of," making the meaning of Coxe "son of Cock." The "x" in Coxe was a common way of rendering an "ks" sound in early English surname spellings. This was the era when spelling conventions were yet to be formalized, hence names were often written as they sounded, so one person’s name could be spelled differently on different occasions. The name became popular in different regions, and numerous variations of the surname Coxe can be found such as Coxson, Cockson and Cox. The surname Coxe has been present since mediaeval times and can be found in many historical records. Prominent bearers of this surname can be found in the fields of politics, academics, and the arts among others.

Coxe: Where does the name Coxe come from?

The surname Coxe is assumed to have originated from the Old English name "Cocc", which means "cock" or "rooster", typically given as a nickname to someone who strutted about proudly like a rooster. It could also be a patronymic surname representing the son of Cock, which was a common first name in England during medieval era. The name first appeared in records in the 12th century.

Today, the surname Coxe is spread across numerous countries but predominantly seen in English-speaking countries like United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, it's more common in regions that are known for their history of English heritage and culture. It's important to remember, though, that the distribution of a surname can change significantly over generations due to migration and shifts in population. Despite it's largely English origin, the Coxe surname is enjoyed by people of many different ethnicities today.

Variations of the surname Coxe

The surname Coxe is derived from an old English personal name, and it also appears frequently as an anglicized form of Welsh Cock. This is a patronymic surname, formed by appending s to the name Cock.

There are numerous variant spellings of the surname Coxe, which changed over time due to various factors such as regional accents, translation discrepancies, and different levels of literacy. Some of these variants include: Cox, Coxx, Cocks, Cockx, Coxen, Coxe, Coxon, Coxson, and Cockson.

The surname also has several modified associated names. For instance, the addition of 's' to create Cox's and adding 'on' to form Coxon. In some cases, a double 'xx' has been used, as in Coxx. Early immigrants to the American colonies often changed the spelling to Cocks, Cockes, or even Cock.

Additionally, in the medieval period, the surname was used as a nickname for a young lad who strutted proudly like a cock, indicating a bold or aggressive nature.

It's vital to keep in mind that the spelling of surnames was not fixed until the introduction of dictionaries in the 18th century. Thus, a variety of spellings and derivatives of the surname Coxe can be found in historical records.

Famous people with the name Coxe

• Kenneth Coxe: He was a well-known American financier and philanthropist.
• Daniel Coxe: An English physician, Governor of West New Jersey and a supporter of colonial expansion.
• Richard Coxe: An English professional footballer.
• Harold Coxe: Well-known painter and artist.
• Henry Coxe: A prominent American lawyer.
• Daniel P. Coxe: An American mining and real estate baron.
• Samuel H. Coxe: An Episcopal clergyman, author, and founder of the Episcopal Christian Witness.
• Jacob Dolson Coxe: American military officer and mining and railroad executive.
• Tench Coxe: American political economist and a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress.
• B.B. Coxe: An American industrialist and philanthropist.
• John Redman Coxe: An American physician and educator.
• William R. Coxe: An American politician who served in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
• Eckley B. Coxe: Co-founder of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. These individuals have achieved significant recognition in their respective fields, demonstrating the impact individuals with the last name Coxe have had in fields ranging from finance and medicine to art and politics.

Other surnames

Cox