This interesting surname has two origins. Firstly; it may be of Czechoslovakian origin being a nickname from the Slavonic "Sokol" meaning falcon, or a metonymic occupational name for a falconer. Secondly, it may be of East Ashkenazic origin, being one of the many ornamental surnames taken from animal names. The surname dates back to the late 18th Century (see below). Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Sokale, Sockell, etc.. One Lydia Sockell married George Knight on June 13th 1776 at St. Leonards, Shoreditch, London and Harriet, daughter of William and Ann Sokale, was christened on July 24th 1808 at St. Mary Whitechapel, Stepney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margre Sokell married John Reed, which was dated 1767, at St. Luke, Old St. Finsbury, during the reign of King George 111, known as "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.