In a privately published (Glen Innes, 1976) short history of the Grocott Family in Australia, Alan M Grocott MA(Hons) LittB DipEd DipRE wrote in part: The surname of Grocott (and its variations), remains a rarity in Australia. It would seem that all those who presently bear the name throughout the entire continent come from a handful of British immigrants who settled in Australia over the past 150 years.

Like most English surnames it is of medieval origin. It is of interesting derivation and suffix change. The word literally means "male crane". The Norman invasion brought many changes to Anglo-Saxon England, not the least being the introduction of a considerable number of new words. "Grew" is Medieval English of French origin for "crane" (the present French word is spelt "grue"). The word "crane" is of Old English origin, and relates to the common European crane /Grus cinerea/, of an ashen-gray colour, formerly abundant in Great Britain, but now extinct.

The surname "Grew" or "Grewe" was first used about 1230 AD. The suffix, "cock", was added during the following generation. The earliest known individual to bear the name was apparently a Margeria Groucok who appeared in the Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls of 1275. A William Grucock was recorded in the Staffordshire Assize Rolls of 1312. At Barstyon, Leicestershire, a Margaret Growcocke left a will in 1579.

The compound of "grew" and "cock" is really a nickname which relates to that particular variety of wading bird, characterised by very long legs, neck and bill. Such a spindly bird provided an apt nickname for tall men with long, thin legs and arms. There is little doubt in this case that the suffix relates to "male". Surnames of a similar origin include Peacock, Woodcock and Moorcock.

Over the centuries, the surname has been spelt (or misspelt) in a bewildering variety of ways, though they all spring from an original of the same type. The known variations include: Grucock, Grucock, Grucod, Groucok, Groucock, Groocok, Groockok, Groocock, Groococke, Groocick, Grewcock, Grewcoucke, Growcock, Grocock, Groucott, Groucutt, Grewcott, Grewcote, Grucott, Growcott, Groocotte, Groocott, Groocot, Grocotte, Grocott, and Grocot.

(Information provided by J.D.Grierson 2012)

Recent Changes

Photos of 7 Westbourne Park Rd, Paddington on photopage added 10 Jan 2022

Enlargement of some Grocock descendant families added 24 Nov 2019