Simcox

Recorded in a wide variety of spellings including Simcock, Simcocks, Simco, Simcoe, Simcox, Symcox and the transposed variants Sincok, Sinnock, and Sinncock, this is an English medieval surname. It is a 'Crusader' name being one of Greek-Hebrew origins that was introduced into Europe by returning Knight Templars and other 'pilgrims' from the Holy Land in the 12th century. Developed from the personal name Simon, itself the Greek version of the Hebrew "Simeon" meaning "he who hears", the name was became popular in Europe as its introduction coincided with both the Christian Revival period and in England to Simon de Montford, who organised the opposition in 1264 to the long and increasingly despotic reign of King Henry 111rd (1216 - 1272). Early examples of the surname recording include Simon Simcocke of Somerset in the Subsidy Rolls of the year 1327, and Thomas Symcokes of Staffordshire in 1395. Later recordings include Thomas Simcock, whose will was proved at Chester in 1616, Mary Simcoe, who was christened at St Ann's church, Blackfriars, in 1646, and Nicholas Sincock, a witness at St Olaves church, Hart Street, London, on October 20th 1725.The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Symcock. This was was dated 1273, in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire. during the reign of King Edward 1, known as the Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. 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.