This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the peacock,' the gaudy, the proud. Probably the sobriquet would not be unacceptable to the bearer. At any rate the surname is common to-day. Middle English pecok, pacok, pocok, pehen, and pohen; v. Skeat.

Geoffrey Pokoc, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Hugh Pokok, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Robert Pokoc, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Margaret Pakok, 2 Edward II: Freemen of York.

Adam Pacok. Close Rolls, 19 Edward II. pt.

Walter Pokok, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Roger Pokok, Somerset, 1 Edward III: ibid.

John Pekok. Rolls of Parliament.

William Pecocke, sup. for B.C.L., 1510: Register of the University of Oxford.

Pecoc was name of a Domesday tenant, 1086. ME. pecoc, 'peacock.' A gift of six pennies annually was made from the toft of Roger Pacok in Annan in thirteenth century (Reg. Priory St. Bees, p. 354). Andreas Pacok was presbyter and notary public in the diocese of St. Andrews, 1311-21 (RD., p. 251, etc.), and the name appears frequently in the parish register of Dunfermline, 1561-1700, as Paycok (1564) and Paicok (1572). Thomas Pacok had grant of a third part of the land of Quhitfeilde in the barony of Lyntounrothrike in 1378 (RHM., II, p. 129), and another Thomas Pacok was pre "nted to a chaplaincy in 1426 (REG., p. 330). Andrew Pacock was notary public in Dunfermling, 1512 (RD., p. 380), and George Pacok was witness in Linlithgow, 1536 (Johnsoun), George Pacok, admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1596, may be George Pacok, chirurgian there in 1601 (NSCM., I, p. 89; CRA., p. 218), and a George Pacok was apothecary burgess of the same burgh in 1631 (Inquis., 1843). The name is also found in Edinburgh (Edinb. Marr.) from 1598 as Pacok and Paecok; Thomas Peacocke, burgess of Edinburgh, 1673 (Inquis., 5640), John Peacocke was heir of John Peacok, scollmaister in Currie, his father, in 1652 (ibid., 3671), and Agnes Peacock is recorded in Westruther, 1652 (Louder). William Peock (= Peacock), flesher in Stewartoune, 1707 (Corsehill, p. 225). In some parts of Scotland the name is said to have, been corrupted to Paik.

A form of Peacock, q.v. [cp. Old English páwa (Latin pauo), a peacock] A sheef of pocok arwes [arrows], bright and kene, Under his belt he bar ful thriftily.—Chaucer, Cant. Tales, Prol. 104-5.

The bird. See Pocock.

Po is semi-Saxon for peacock, and the last syllable has only been added, as in the cases of turkey-cock and cock-sparrow. "As proud as a Po," seems to have been a very ancient proverbial saying. See Wright's Political Songs, p. 159. Chaucer describes his ' Yeman ' as bearing under his belt —

A name given from fondness for display-they bear three peacocks in their pride, in their arms.

Taken from the name of the well—known fowl; pea, contracted from the Latin, pavo, Saxon, pawa, French, paon,—a name given from a fondness of display.

From the Danish, Pock; from the German, Pocha; personal name See Pook and Peacock.

Pocock is an old Wilts name, at present best represented in the neighbourhood of Melksham. In the 13th century it was found in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk (H. R.), and is said to be the semi - Saxon form of Peacock.

Peacock is a name found in several parts of England, but its great home is in the North Riding, especially in the districts of Richmond and Northallerton. It was represented as Pocok, Pokoc, Pokok, and Pecock in the 13th century in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk (H. R.); in the last two counties it is still well established. Speaking generally, this name characterises the eastern half of England.