Surname Kocks - Meaning and Origin
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Kocks: What does the surname Kocks mean?
The surname Kocks is derived from either of two distinct sources. The German and Dutch form is derived from the term koch or kocke, meaning “cook” or “kitchen servant”. It was an occupational name given either to professional cooks or to those who washed dishes and generally handled kitchen duties.
The Croatian and Slovenian form likely derives from a Slavicized version of the German word “Koch” or “Kocke”—Kocka or Kokal. This form of the name is thought to have been first established by a Slovenian family living near the city of Ljubljana in the former Yugoslav republic of Slovenia.
The Kocks surname is now found in many countries across the world, particularly in the United States where it is still relatively common. Kocks is a unique name with a long, rich history that can be traced back to some of Europe's earliest settlers. Its history is a reflection of the ever-changing European landscape and the migrations of people from various cultures and backgrounds.
Order DNA origin analysisKocks: Where does the name Kocks come from?
The last name Kocks is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany today. This surname typically originates from a nickname given to the family’s patriarch and is derived from the German word “Koch” which means “Cook”. This probably indicate that the first Kocks in the family was a cook or chef of some sort.
Over the centuries, the Kocks name has spread beyond the borders of the Netherlands and Germany. Records can be found in the Netherlands in the 16th Century and in Norway as far back as the 17th Century. According to records, 2,716 people in Germany are known to carry the last name Kocks as of 2020.
It is likely that some Europeans with the Kocks name emigrated to other continents in search of new opportunities and a better life. Emigrants could be found in many of the English speaking countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In fact, the United States currently has the highest population of people with the last name Kocks with 574 recorded in 2020.
Given the origin of the name and its prevalence in Europe, it is safe to say that the last name Kocks likely continues to be most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today.
Variations of the surname Kocks
The surname Kocks has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Kocx, Kocxen, Kockelberg, Kocken, Kockx, Koke, Koch, Kochs, Kok, Kockser, Kockenberger, Kockhul, Kockhums, Kochkel, Kokel, Kocker, Kockhals, Kockman, Kockerling, Kockes, Kochen, Kockel, Kockelmann, Kocher, Kockerman, Kockerbaum, Kockenhoff, Kockenmuller, Koczarski, Kockstra, Köcks, Köch, Kochow, Kocowicz, Köcher, Kocksen, Kocxkis, and Kockstein.
The most common variants include Kocx, Kocken, Kocks, Kockel, and Koch. Kocx is a variant of the original surname, likely derived from the Dutch word for “bench”. Kocken is derived from the Middle Low German language, which was spoken in some parts of northern Germany. Kocks is a Dutch variant, and Kockel is most likely an altered form of the original surname. Koch is a variant that is more common in Germany and is derived from the Old High German word for “cook”.
The spelling of the surname can also vary. Some common spellings include Kocs, Kokx, Kox, Koxx, Kochs, Kochh, Kockh, and Koecks.
In some cases the surname has been altered to sound more Anglo-Saxon. Some varieties in this category include Cox, Coke, Cock, Cocks, Coak, Cocus, and Cocke.
Several other surnames are related to Kocks, including Köch, Koecke, Kockeler, Kockelmann, Kochen, Kocker, Kockerman, Kockes, Koczarski, Koczorowski, Kocovsky, and Koks.
Famous people with the name Kocks
- Chris Kocks, Dutch field hockey player
- Jens Kocks, German cross-country skier
- Stephen Kocks, American artist
- Nicholas Kocks, Austrian football midfielder
- Jan Kocks, Dutch cyclist
- Hanna Kocks, German archer
- Matthew Kocks, South African rugby union player
- Sebastian Kocks, German footballer
- Ryan Kocks, American guitar player and producer
- Ariana Kocks, American sculptor