History

Johncock – Of European heritage, “John” is a derivative of “Jan” from “Jan Utenhove” of Ghent, Belgium. “Cock” is derived from the “Koch” surname from Germany.

Historically, Koch’s were beer cookers in Germany in the 1400’s. When many migrated to Belgium in the 1500’s, quite a few became weavers in Walloon of southeastern Belgium. Koch was changed to “LeCocq.”

The weaving industry was imported to England in the mid 1500’s and so were the French-speaking LeCocq’s of Walloon. They settled in Canterbury, England.

In 1548, Jan Utenhove and Francios Perrucel founded a French-language church in room of Canterbury Cathedral, calling it the Walloon Church. It was active for twelve years.

One of the church’s earliest members was Den’is LeCocq. Having learned some English, Den’is decided to have an English name. As Jan Utenhove was a respected and beloved countryman, Den’is chose “Jan” as the prefix to go with “cocke” because “that ‘e’ on the end of Cocke did look distinguished.” (where is quote from) Over two or three generations, “Jan” changed to “John”.

Jancocke Coat of Arms

coatofarmsThe “Jancocke Coat of Arms” has been traced to Salisbury, England. Coat of Arms were granted to a knight or important person and were a Heraldic symbol. They were originally used to cover a suit of armour so the combatants could be identified by the soldiers. It was used in medieval days when most armies were private armies.

Today, the only private army in the United Kingdom is allowed to be raised by the Duke of Athol. He has an army of just a few ceremonial officers and soldiers.

The history of the arms is unfortunately unknown. It is not known who has the right to wear the arms.  These things are still taken very seriously in Scotland, and prosecutions still take place in the Heraldic courts.

People

Johncock is the surname of many famous people:

Scientists

  • Robert Koche, (Born 1841) won the Nobel Prize for his tuberculosis research
  • Emil Kocher, (Born 1841) won the Nobel Prize for his work on the thyroid gland. He invented forceps (grasping pincers) which bear his name: Kocher forceps.

Educators

  • Phil (Philip) Johncock, (Born 1959) founder of 4Grants.Net, award-winning educator and distance education entrepreneur

Family Diary of Zelpha Morehouse Johncock

Writers

  • Jack Johncock (Born 1927)
  • Phil (Philip) Johncock, (Born 1959) author of Family Diary of Zelpha Morehouse Johncock, 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health, Dream-Making to Billions: Grant Writing Tips from the Experts, The Path of SkyDancing Tantra, Book of Life, Already Home, Power of Living Genius, Power of Integrity, Power of Receiving, Power of Creativity, Guide to Home Based Business

Click Here for Johncock Books and DVD’s

Musicians

Artists

  • Jean Cocteau, (1889-1963) was an poet, novelist, dramatist, film maker, essayist, ballet designer and painter.

Sports and Athletics

  • Gordon Johncock, former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and 1976 USAC
  • Graham Johncock, an Australian rules football player with the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League
  • Jack Johncock, ice skater and founder of “ice skating on hands”
  • Jerry Johncock, long-distance record holder
  • Phil Johncock, all-state football player and Hall of Fame athlete at Delton Kellogg High School

External links

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