Recorded as Brock, Brockes and Brocks (English), and as the diminutive Brockie in Scotland and Northern England, this is a surname which is said to be of pre 7th century origin, of which it has at least four possible sources. The first is that it originated as a nickname for a person who in someway resembled a badger! This is from the Olde English pre 7th century word "brocc", and as such it was possibly a nickname of endearment. Secondly, the name may have derived from the Old French word "broque or brocke", meaning a young stag, and again possibly a name of endearment for a young, enthusiastic person. The third possibility is that the name is topographical for a person who lived by a stream. This is from the word "broc", meaning a brook. There is also a river called "Brock" in Lancashire. As this originated from the same word of "broc", this is also a possible source. Early examples of the surname include Richard Brock in the Subsidy Tax rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, whilst in Scotland Gilbert Broky was a professional singer in Brechin in 1411, whilst Marianus Brockie was the prior of Ratisbon monastery in 1666. Daniel de Lisle Brock (1762 - 1842) was the bailiff of Guernsey whilst his brother Sir Isaac Broock (1769 - 1812), a Major-General, was killed at Qeenstown in Canada during the war with the USA in 1812 - 1814. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Joel le Broc. This was dated 1222, in the Calendar of Patent Rolls of Essex, during the reign of King Henry 111 of England, 1216 - 1272. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024