This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Toke.' The Domesday form was Toka, 'liber homo Stigandi Toka Francigine' (Toka the Frenchman); v. Freeman, Norman Conq. v. 768. Mr. Lower enumerates among the Domesday forms of this familiar personal name Toe, Tocho, Tochi, and Toka, also the patronymic Godric Tokeson (Godric fit Toke). Tycho Brahe represented the Danish form (v. Yonge). Friar Tuck, whether an historic or legendary personage, bears unmistakably the same name. For a diminutive v. Tokelin. Of many instances I furnish a few.

Toke Dando, Somerset, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Toke Lanarms (i.e. the woolmonger), Lincolnshire, ibid.

Tokus Bobyning, Close Rolls, 3 Edward I.

Peter Tuck, Close Rolls, 6 Edward I.

Thomas Tuke, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1526. Nicholas Toke, or Tocke, or Take: Register of the University of Oxford.

1571. John Tuke and Margaret Willyams: Marriage Lic (London).

1675. Baptised — James, s. Henry Tucke: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1676-7. Thomas Tooke (Hertfordshire) and Elizabeth Atkins: Marriage Lic. (London).

1708. William Toke (Kent) and Elizabeth Hilton: ibid.

1753. Married — Roger Took (Norfolk) and Elizabeth Grandee: St. George's Chapel, Mayfair.

Most probably a derivative of Tock, which see. John Tuk, 'of Scotland borne,' had license in 1495 to import Scottish goods into England (Bain, IV, 1619). Anna Teuk was married in Edinburgh, 1676 (Edinb. Marr.).

A scot. form of Tooke, q.v.

A name of doubtful origin, because the several etymons which have been suggested are of nearly equal probability. I. The Be prefixed to the name Tuke, or Touke, of the midland counties points to a local origin, and that family are said to have sprung from the Sieur de Touque, whose ancient barony in Normandy (arrondissement of Pont l'Eveque) was written in charters Touqua. I do not find Domesd. authority for this, though I do find in that ancient record (II) as landowners, prior to its compilation, persons bearing the baptismal names of Toe, Tocho, Tochi, and Toka, as well as the patronymic form, Godric Tokeson. III. It may he from At-Hoke or At-Hook, implying the residence of the first bearer on an elevated spot. See Hook. IV. But this is less likely-it has been suggested that it is of O. English origin, and signifies thick. If it be so, Tuck was no inappropriate name for the well-known friar. Gent. Mag., June, 1846. The surname is found spelled in 17 different ways. One of the most ancient is Toke, as preserved in the Godington family for many centuries. The Tookes of Hurston Clays, co. Sussex, of London, Herts, Dorset, &c., proven descendants of that house, have employed this orthography from the XVI. century.

Tuck is an ancient Norfolk name, which was represented in this county as well as in Lincolnshire in the 13th century (H. R.).

Though also characteristic of Norfolk, Tuck has been a Wilts name for many generations. Two hundred years ago there was a Captain Tuck in the county, apparently resident in Corsham (A.); and early last century Richard Tuck of Rowdford, Bromham, also owned property in Westbury (H.).