Surname Stocks - Meaning and Origin
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Stocks: What does the surname Stocks mean?
The surname Stocks is of English origin and it is mainly derived from geographic or topographic features, making it a habitation surname. The term "stocks" originally referred to the device used to publicly punish or humiliate people in medieval times. It was comprised of two wooden boards with holes for the head and hands, where offenders were placed and subjected to public scorn or physical abuse.
However, as a surname, Stocks generally refers to a person who resided near a notable structure like these stocks, or possibly someone who worked with such devices, such as a law enforcement officer or public official in the Middle Ages. The surname is generally more common in Northern England.
It's also worth noting that the use of surnames didn't become common until the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century and were principally adopted to distinguish between individuals with the same personal (or first) name.
Therefore, the surname Stocks would have been used to differentiate between people residing in the same locality. Like many surnames, its exact origin is hard to pinpoint due to name changes, regional differences, and the passage of time.
Order DNA origin analysisStocks: Where does the name Stocks come from?
The last name Stocks is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and in countries with a strong British heritage such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The United States also has a significant number of Stocks; there are almost 27,000 people that carry this last name according to the most recent census data. The highest concentration of Stocks are found in Missouri, with more than 4,800 individuals, followed by Pennsylvania (3,400) and Michigan (3,000).
Stocks can also be found in smaller numbers throughout Western Europe, East Africa, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
The Stocks surname originated in England, and likely derived from the occupation of the same name. During the Middle Ages, a ‘stocker’ was someone who kept the ‘stocks’, an archaic device used to restrain criminals or unruly members of society. Over time the surname Stock evolved into the more modern Stocks.
Today, the Stocks surname is one of the most common and recognizable last names in the world, with thousands of people in dozens of countries carrying it.
Variations of the surname Stocks
Stocks is an English surname of several possible origins. It could be either a topographical name for someone who lived by a stockade or an occupational name for a dealer in provisions, derived from the Old English word “stocc” meaning a log or a post. The different spellings of Stocks could be Stockes, Stokes or Stoke. Other variants of the surname Stocks include Stock, Stoakes, Stocks and Stockings.
Surnames with similar origins to Stocks include Stitcher, Cockeram and Picket. The generically similar surnames of Stocksland, Stockman and Stokemand may also point to a common ancestor. The Gaelic Irish variants of Stocks include MacStocaidh and MacStoghaire, which can also be used interchangeably with the English variants.
Other surnames with a similar sound to Stocks include Stocker, Stalker, Sutcliffe, Starck and Stinger. These are all distinct surnames so are not directly related to the surname Stocks.
The popularity of the surname Stocks in the United Kingdom can be determined by its distribution on the 1881 British census. There were 1,791 people registered with the surname Stocks, the majority of which were based in Lancashire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire. This gives an indication of where the surname was most popular in the 19th century, and may be useful for those researching their ancestors.
Famous people with the name Stocks
- Janet Stocks: Janet Stocks is an actress best known for her performances in the TV show Mrs Brown's BoysD'Movie and the drama series The Three Musketeers.
- Mike Stocks: Mike Stocks is a retired English footballer, having played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall.
- David Stocks: David Stocks is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as West Ham United and Leeds United.
- Bob Stocks: Bob Stocks is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs such as Hull City and Newport County.
- Chris Stocks: Chris Stocks is a British actor who is best known for his appearances in the TV series America's Most Wanted, 24 and NCIS.
- Barry Stocks: Barry Stocks is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as AFC Bournemouth and Peterborough United.
- David Stocks-Hill: David Stocks-Hill is a former professional footballer, having played for clubs such as Leicester City and Bristol City.
- Eric Stocks: Eric Stocks is an English former professional footballer, having played for clubs such as Mansfield Town and Bolton Wanderers.
- Matthew Stocks: Matthew Stocks is a former professional footballer, having played for clubs such as Birmingham City and Notts County.
- Peter Stocks: Peter Stocks is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.