The surname of ALECOCK was a baptismal name 'the son of Alen' from the pet form Allicock or Allcock. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. Early records of the name mention Alcok de Stonys, 1273 County Derbyshire. Johannes Alcokson, of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. John Booth and Siceleye Allicocke were married at Prestbury Church, County Chester in the year 1578. Richard Hatton and Ellenor Alcocke were married in London in 1627. An eminent member of the name was Sir John William Alock (1892-1919) the English aviator and first man to fly the Atlantic non-stop with Arthur Whitten Brown in 1919. He was born in Manchester, and served as a captain in the Royal Naval Air Services in World War 1. After the war he became a test pilot for Vickers Aircraft. On 14th June 1919 with Brown as the navigator, he piloted a Vickers-Vimy bi-plane non-stop from Newfoundland to County Galway in 16 hours 27 minutes. Both men were knighted after the flight. Sadly he was killed in an aeroplane accident the same year. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day. The name has many variants.