Hi Vicky
thought this might be of interest
Gaukrogers' feature in the early history of Halifax. The name can be found in most early Parish Registers. A locality of 1 1/2 acres in Sowerby was known as Gaukrocher in 1351.
Platts can sometimes have a Lancashire origin but in this case the surname derives from the name of a farm in Sowerby. The property was held by a branch of the Gaukroger family from 1487 at least and during their occupation they came to use Platts as an alias. It subsequently became their accepted family name
1585 Richard Gaukroger of Platts....Wakefield Court Rolls 4
1597 Richard Gaukroger alias Plattes....Yorkshire Archaeological Society 24
1640 John Gaukroger alias Plats....Yorkshire Archaeological Society 4
1672 John Platts, Sowerby....Hearth Tax List for Agbrigg and Morley Wapentakes
.... Yorkshire Surnames Series 3 Halifax and District 2001 ....George Redmonds
Surname: Gaukroger
This very unusual and interesting name is of early medieval English origin, and is a peculiarly Yorkshire nickname surname for someone thought to be clumsy and awkward. The name derives from the Yorkshire dialectal term "gawk", used of a clumsy, simple person, with "Roger", used as a representative male personal name, although the original surname may have been bestowed on one "Roger" because of a particular incident that has not been recorded. An April Fool is an April "Gowk" in Yorkshire. A sizeable group of early European surname were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These were given in the first instance with reference to occupation, or to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition, or to habits of dress. The surname was first recorded in the mid 16th Century (see below), and other early recordings include: Jon Gawkrycher (1553, Yorkshire), and Daniel Corkroger (1685, ibid.). In the modern idiom the surname can be found recorded as Gaukroger, Gawkroge, Gaukrodge and Gawkrodger. Recordings from Yorkshire Church Registers include: the marriage of Elizabeth Gaukroger and Edmund Wells in October 1554, at Halifax; the christening of Gracia, daughter of Rici Gaukroger, on March 19th 1574, at Elland; and the christening of John, son of Samuel Gaukroger, on November 18th 1593, at Halifax. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rauffe Gawkeroger, which was dated 1539, in the "Registers of the Parish of Rothwell", Yorkshire, during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Bluff King Hal", 1509 - 1547. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
© Copyright: Name Orgin Research
www.surnamedb.com <http://www.surnamedb.com> 1980 - 2006
There are many Gaukrogers still living in the Halifax area.
Dave
