Surname Stocking - Meaning and Origin

Stocking: What does the surname Stocking mean?

The surname Stocking has English, Irish, and Welsh roots and dates back to the medieval period. It is a habitational name derived from "Stoc," the old English word for an enclosure or flock, and denotes a family who dwelled near one. It is most commonly found in places such as Norfolk and Lincolnshire in England, as well as in several counties in Ireland and Wales. The name has also been taken up by people of other origins, as it has various translations in different languages, including Steckling (German), Stecche (Italian), and Stecker (Scandinavian).

Variant forms of Stocking include Stocker, Stocken, Stockin, Stockings, Stockinge, Stockinge, Stockinges, and Stokings. The surname has been adopted by many families over the years, some of whom may have ancestors who arrived in America from England in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Stocking is often associated with traditional values and conservative ideals. The people with the Stocking surname are typically proud of their family heritage. They may have a strong sense of loyalty and commitment, which has been passed down through the generations.

Stocking: Where does the name Stocking come from?

The English surname Stocking is most commonly found in the modern day United States, particularly in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. This last name is likely derived from the Olde English word ‘stocc’, meaning trunk or log, and is likely an occupational surname relating to the woodwork trade. In the United States Census of 2000, nearly 4,000 individuals had the last name Stocking with the greatest concentrations appearing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. It is likely due to centuries of migration of this last name from the United Kingdom to the United States that ismost commonly found in the U.S.

The Stocking surname is also sometimes found in Canada, most commonly in the province of Ontario. Beyond English-speaking countries, this surname is most commonly found in India, where it likely originates from British Colonial practices of naming Indian villages and towns after British surnames during their time of occupation.

Many members of the Stocking family have gained fame and notoriety over the years, such as the American actor George Stocking, the cricket player Walter Stocking, and the football player Bill Stocking. While the name may be relatively uncommon today, the Stocking family likely has a long and varied lineage stretching back many centuries.

Variations of the surname Stocking

The surname Stocking has many variants, spellings, and derivatives originating from multiple origins.

One of the most common spellings of the name is Stockinger, which denotes those of German and Austrian descent. Variations of this spelling can include Stockingerin, Stockingerin, Stockengasser, and Stockengasserin. These derivative surnames come from Middle High German “stocke” meaning “kind of tree”.

Stocking can also refer to English origin. In this case, it was one of the occupational surnames deriving from the Middle English “stok”, meaning “a stalk or stem” or “it described an occupation as a maker of “stok” or stockings. Derivatives of these include Stokker, Stocker, Stoker, Stockford, and Stockway.

The surname may also trace back to Swedish origins. In this case, the surname derived from “Stake” meaning “a pile of stones” and hence someone who lived by a stone pile or cairn. Variations of this could include Stacker, Stackler, Stackman, and Stakman.

Finally, there may be an Irish side to the surname Stocking. In this case, it’s derived from the Gaelic name Mac Oistig, meaning “son of Oisgig.” Ultimately, it’s derived from the old Irish “Oistig” which was a nickname meaning “fur coat.” Derivatives include Ostig, Osteger, Ostiker, Osticker, and Ostigar.

All in all, these multiple origins and derivatives of the surname Stocking provide the many variants and spellings of this interesting and diversified name.

Famous people with the name Stocking

• Karl Stocking: German author, noted for his works in economic history
• Harold Stocking: American photographer, known best for his photographs of World War II military aircraft
• Aaron Stocking: American actor and stand-up comedian
• Charles Stocking: English artist and wood engraver
• John Stocking: British politician, Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington from 1790 to 1812
• Theodore Stocking: Canadian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1922 to 1941
• Robert Stocking: British academic, professor of English at the University of Cambridge from 1954 to 1965
• Hester Stocking: British author, noted for writing the novel The Silver Sea
• Wilson Stocking: American historian, noted for his work on the history of the American Colonies
• Frank Stocking: American philanthropist, co-founder of the Fuller Stocking Foundation which is committed to providing educational opportunities to people facing financial hardship

Other surnames

StöckichtStöckigStöckigtStockingerStöckinger