Koo
An old English surname that likely began as a nickname from a word for the jackdaw or another bird.
The #6,843 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 62,715 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is probably linked to Middle English forms like "coe" or "koo," used for the jackdaw, a bird often associated with a nickname or comparison to a person. The historical excerpts also connect it with bird names recorded in early glossaries, though the spellings are uneven and the exact form is not fully secure. In origin, it appears to be a short descriptive nickname surname rather than a place-name.
History
The name is attested in medieval records, including forms such as William le Koo and Ricardus Koo. Bardsley treats it alongside other bird-based nicknames, and a later source also suggests possible French influence in some similar forms. It remains a very uncommon surname today, especially in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The medieval glosses cited by Bardsley show several overlapping spellings for the same bird name, which is why this surname can look deceptively simple but have a messy paper trail.
From the historical record
“Coe.— Nick. ' the coe,' Le. the jackdaw ; A.S. tto, cormx, ' Coo, byrde or schowhe ; Koo, byrde or schowghe ; inoiudnla, Hodula ' (Prompt. Parv.). ' Koo, a hyrde' (Falsg.). Hr. Way quotes in a — ' the cfanrlyiahe chowgb.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances