Cooke Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Cooke come from? What does the surname Cooke mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Cooke and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Cook
Surname Cooke Origin: What does the last name Cooke mean?
The Cooke surname has English and Irish origins, with its English variant, Cook, stemming from the occupation of a cook. In Ireland, the surname Cooke is commonly derived from the Gaelic name Mac Dhabhóc and Mac Uag. The surname was distributed across Ireland, with households found in counties like Cavan, Galway, and Armagh. In England, Cooke is a variant of the more common spelling Cook, with records dating back to the early 12th century. Over time, the surname has spread globally, with a significant presence in the United States since the 16th century.
YourRoots data confirms the early presence of the Cooke surname in the United Kingdom and its subsequent expansion to countries like France. The surname has established itself worldwide, with significant populations in places like India, Spain, Argentina, Germany, and Nigeria. The Cooke surname reflects a diverse heritage of Gaelic and occupational roots, showcasing its enduring popularity and widespread distribution across various regions and cultures.
Cooke Last Name History: Where did the last name Cooke come from?
Origin of Cooke Surname: Where does the last name Cooke originate from?
Based on the YourRoots database, the surname Cooke was first recorded in the United Kingdom, specifically England, around the early 12th century. This reflects only the exact "Cooke" spelling in the YourRoots database and does not consider other sources or variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Cooke: What does the Cooke surname history look like in the early days?
The "Cooke" surname was primarily associated with England from the 12th through the 15th century, according to the YourRoots data. However, by the 16th century, there was a significant increase in the frequency of Cooke family records in the United States. This trend continued into the 17th century, with the United States surpassing England in the volume of Cooke records.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Cooke surname today?
The Cooke surname has spread globally over the centuries. Today, it is most commonly found in the United States, which has consistently had a high frequency of Cooke records from the 16th century onwards. Despite the shift to the United States, the surname Cooke remains prevalent in England, the place of its earliest recorded usage. However, it is worth noting that the Cooke surname is now found in various other regions worldwide, indicating a broader global spread.
Explore Cooke last name heritage and Cooke surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Cooke Surame?
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cooke (January 22, 1931 - December 11, 1964) was an influential American singer and songwriter known as the "King of Soul." He had numerous chart-topping hits, including "You Send Me" and "A Change Is Gonna Come," and was a key figure in popular music during the 1950s and 1960s.
Elwood Cooke
Elwood Thomas Cooke (July 5, 1913 - April 16, 2004) was an amateur American tennis player in the 1930s and 1940s. Cooke achieved success in various tournaments, including reaching the Wimbledon singles final in 1939 and winning the doubles title that year with Bobby Riggs. He was also ranked in the Top 10 in the United States multiple times.
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