HOCKEY FAMILY HISTORY

This page is dedicated to the history of the Hockey family in Somerset, particularly Montacute.                 

The Hockey name appears to have a particular concentration in Somerset, and a discussion of the origins and distribution of the name is attached.

The Hockey family first appears in Montacute around the year 1700 in the person of Edmond Hockey, although the name appears to be fairly common in several of the surrounding parishes. Thomas Hockey had a number of children in Montacute between 1712 and 1725, and a tree of around 630 of his descendants is now in existence. Several left Montacute during the C19, establishing branches in South Africa, Australia (Victoria and New South Wales) and South Wales. Apart from Hockey, descendant names include Sims (Kent), Lanfear and Smith (Newport, Monmouthshire). An outline of the top of the tree and the connections of the various researchers is attached, although this is still subject to some debate. Other Montacute Hockey lines not yet connected to the main tree are those of Josiah Hockey, who emigrated to New South Wales in 1857, Thomas Hockey (c.1801-c.1848), two of whose children also emigrated to New South Wales (George 1857, Samuel B 1883), and Francis Hockey (1857 son of Anne Hockey). A final New South Wales line which probably connects is that of Thomas Hockey (c.1825-1881) who married Mary Flanagan. 

Another local Hockey line springs from Edmund Hockey of Norton sub Hamdon, the son of Edmond and Elizabeth Hockey and possible brother of the Thomas described above. His descendants flourished in Norton down into the late 19th century, with one branch moving to South Wales, and an outline of this descendant line is also attached. Finally, another line probably connected to the above springs from Edmund and Mary (nee Rugg) Hockey who had children in nearby Chiselborough in the 1790's. 

A number of researchers have worked on the family history over the years, particularly on the Australian and South African branches, and their research is in the process of being consolidated and cross-checked. An initial outline of past research and related resources is attached.

Future research is likely to involve a broader review of the parishes around Montacute in an attempt to establish the earlier history of this line, and any suggestions or leads from other researchers with overlapping interests would be most welcome. It is hoped that some coordination in this area will help us all to make faster progress. An initial list of potential future research projects is included here for discussion purposes, including details of the general South Somerset project.

Another notable branch of the Hockey family flourished in the area around Horsington in Somerset, with branches spreading to South Wales, the US and Australia, and an outline of the history of this line is attached. This site also includes an overview of other Somerset area branches being researched.

Anyone interested in further details of these branches of the Hockey family, or who is able to provide additional relevant details, is invited to contact the coordinator for this page Ian Hall.