The Cox Family History

What Does the Cox Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Cox has roots in Ireland, Wales, England, and France. This family name derives from the term cock or cocc, which translates to little. Additionally, it can serve as a term of endearment, often used to commend a leader. In Welsh, coch signifies the color red, while the French equivalent coq denotes a geographic location. Variants of the surname include Coxe, Coxen, Coxon, and Cocks. In England, the majority of individuals bearing the Cox surname reside in the Greater London area, although there are also smaller populations in the central and northern parts of the country. In the United States, families with the Cox surname can be found in states such as Oklahoma, California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and New York. Noteworthy individuals with this surname include Barbara Cox, a female soccer player from New Zealand; Fred Cox, a professional football player; Courteney Cox, an actress; Emily Cox, an Australian conductor and choir director; John Cox, a cartoonist; Joseph Buford Cox, an inventor known for his specialized chain saws; Mark Cox, an English tennis player; Pamela Cox, an author; Wally Cox, an actor; and William Cox, a 19th-century pioneer in New South Wales, Australia.