Surname Coskrey - Meaning and Origin
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Coskrey: What does the surname Coskrey mean?
The last name Coskrey is derived from the Anglo-Saxon surname Cockshode, meaning "Red Wood". This surname dates back to the medieval period in England and is believed to have originated in Devon or Somerset, where it was found as far back as the 13th century. The modern spelling of the name is thought to have come from a misinterpretation of the original spelling, or a result of the influence of early English dialects.
Today, Coskrey is used as a last name by thousands of people around the world. Depending on where the family comes from, it could mean different things. For instance, in some instances, the name may have been derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name "Cocca" or "Cocc". Additionally, it is believed that the name may have been taken on as a descriptive name during the 11th century Norman Conquest, as the name was sometimes given to people with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
No matter how the name came to be, Coskrey has been used as a surname for centuries. Today, the name carries with it its own rich history and a unique identity that can be used as a way to connect family members. Whether the name was derived from personal names, descriptions, or other sources, the familial heritage of bearing the surname Coskrey can be a source of pride and achievement in any family.
Order DNA origin analysisCoskrey: Where does the name Coskrey come from?
The last name Coskrey is of ancient British origin and is associated with the county of Cornwall in the southwest of England. Coskreys were an established family in Cornwall by the 12th century, and the name is believed to have derived from the term ‘coscrey’ which means swine or pork.
Coskreys are still found mainly in Cornwall today, with some members of the family also making their home in surrounding areas such as Devon, Somerset, Gloucester and Dorset. Families by the name of Coskrey also appear in other parts of Britain, the United States and Australia, the latter likely arrived from migrants.
The Coskrey surname is particularly common in the city of Launceston, which has the largest concentration of Coskreys in the UK. The surname has also increasingly been known across the world, as more and more members of the family have spread across the globe.
The Coskrey name is also known in Ireland, where some members of the family set up home in the 19th century. In the United States, the Coskrey name has been associated with towns such as Derby in northern Indiana and Neodesha in Kansas.
As such, while the last name Coskrey is still mainly associated with Cornwall, it has spread across the globe and is now well-known in different countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Coskrey
The surname Coskrey traces back to numerous origins. It is an Anglo-Saxon name, derived from either being an occupational name for someone who worked with a spindle and a distaff for spinning wool, from the Middle English word ‘cosp', or a nickname for someone with curly hair, from the Old English ‘cuscra'.
The variants of Coskrey include Cosgrove, Cosgraves, and Cosgrave. The spelling of the surname can be slightly altered, such as with Caskeray, Cosseray, or Croskery. In Scotland, the surname may be seen as McCuskery. As different countries have modified surnames to fit their language, it may be seen as Cusskerry, Cusskrey, and Kaskerey in Ireland, and Cuskerry and Cuskerey in the U.S.
In Scotland, Coskrey is most prominent in the Argyll region, although the surname can be found throughout the country. In England, it is most common in Essex and surrounding southeast counties, with the exception of London. In the U.S., the surname is most frequently found in California, Virginia and in Pennsylvania. In Australia, Coskreys are mainly found in South Australia and Victoria.
Coskrey is a relatively uncommon name, but it is centuries old and has an intriguing history. It is the surname of two British knights fighting in the 1095 Crusades in the Middle East, as well as of American astronauts, British sculptors, and more. As such, it is an old and wide-spread surname with a diverse legacy.
Famous people with the name Coskrey
- Christopher Coskrey: English cricketer and commentator
- Spencer Coskrey: drummer for the rock band Bullet for My Valentine
- Lana Coskrey: singer and songwriter
- Paul Coskrey: former American football player
- Efim Coskrey: Russian hockey player
- David Coskrey: former soccer player
- Preston Coskrey: producer, actor, and screenwriter
- Rob Coskrey: film and television actor
- Billy Coskrey: sports broadcaster
- Adam Coskrey: former boxing champion