Surname Jock - Meaning and Origin
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Jock: What does the surname Jock mean?
The last name Jock is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the name “John” or “Johannes,” both of which mean “God is gracious.” The prefix “Jock” is a diminutive of John, meaning “little John” or “pet form of John.” The last name Jock is one of the most popular Scottish last names, and is a nickname common to many Scottish names, such as “Jack,” “John,” and “Jockie.”
The original bearer of the name Jock probably worked as a blacksmith or farrier, explaining the nickname of “Jock,” derived from the word “work.” This occupation would have been very important for the ancient Scots, who relied heavily on horses and carts for transportation and farming.
The name Jock is most common in the regions of Fife and Angus, located in the east and northeast of Scotland respectively. This is likely due to the prevalence of farming and horse culture in the area. Records of the name Jock date as far back as the 12th century, when William filius Jock is registered in the Ragman Rolls of Scotland.
Today, the name Jock is still one of the most common surnames in Scotland, and is often found in other parts of the world where Scots migrated. The name symbolizes a strong connection to one’s Scottish heritage, and a proud sense of tradition and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisJock: Where does the name Jock come from?
The last name Jock is most commonly found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany, as well as parts of North America. It is a surname with a variety of possible origins, the most likely of which is the medieval personal name "Jock". This was an informal nickname of the ancient name "John", often given to people with a strong character and independent spirit, or to younger sons who had few prospects of inheriting land.
In Germany, it may originate from the Germanic name "Jodok" or "Jodocus". In Scotland, it is most likely derived from an occupational name, as the Scots used it to denote someone who was especially adept at hunting or archery. It is also found among many North American immigrants, generally having arrived with other immigrants from Scotland.
In England it is a quite popular last name, although there are no regions that stand out as having a strong concentration of the name. In Scotland, it is commonplace in the former border counties such as Dumfries and Galloway, the Orkney Islands, and in many parts of the Highlands.
Given the variety of its origins, it is a name found throughout the English-speaking world, making it difficult to pinpoint any one region that has higher concentrations of this surname.
Variations of the surname Jock
The surname Jock is of Scottish origin and is derived from terms such as 'John' and 'Jack'. Variations of the surname include Jock, Jok, Joak, Joc, Jocko, Jockes, Joke, Jockisch, Joch, Jochems, Jochen, Jacks, Jacko, Jackes, Jackisch and Jackman.
Jock is typically a shortened version of the name John. During the 16th century, it was common to drop the 'd' or 'hn' from the name John and to simply add ‘s’ at the end of the name to create a nickname. Thus, John became 'Jons' which over time was then shortened to 'Jock'.
In some cases, the surname is derived from the middle names of male members of the family such as 'Michel Joak'. Similarly, broader family names such as 'Jacobson' can be anglicised creating 'Jacock' or 'Jock'.
The surname is often found alongside other descriptive nicknames such as 'Black Jock' or 'Black Jacob' to demonstrate the bearer’s physical features or characteristics linked to their name.
Variations of the surname Jock can be found all over Scotland and other areas of the British Isles as well as traditions abroad. In addition to the traditional spellings, the surname is also often found with variations in spelling, such as 'Jok', 'Jack' and 'Joch'.
Famous people with the name Jock
- David Jock: Actor and Producer, best known for his role in the movie Masterminds and TV series Blood Drive.
- Jimmy Jock: Professional Soccer Player.
- Bart Jock: Professional Baseball Player.
- Luke Jock: Professional Basketball Player.
- Jordan Jock: Professional Football Player.
- Mike Jock: Pro Motorcycle Racer.
- Frank Jock: Professional Ice Hockey Player.
- Arthur Jock: Professional Skateboarder.
- Sydney Jock: Actress best known for her roles in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Crazy Rich Asians.
- Jacqueline Jock: Singer and Songwriter.
- Madeline Jock: Award-Winning Dancer and Choreographer.
- John Jock: Award-Winning Photographer and Video Producer.
- Mark Jock: Boat Racer and Celebrity Adventurer.
- Sugar Jock: Chef and Food Critic.
- Tommie Jock: World Travel Writer and Journalist.
- Stephanie Jock: Award-Winning Stage, Screen and TV Actress.
- Stuart Jock: Emmy Award-Winning Producer.
- Alex Jock: Professional Golfer.
- Lindsay Jock: Award-Winning Comic Book Artist.
- Amanda Jock: Professional Snowboarder.