Tucker

Possible derivation of the name

The origin of the name is not entirely certain, but since it has a long history as a surname on the continent, as in England and from thereon, also in the United States, it presumably has the same Saxon roots.

In England

Recorded as both Tucker and Tooker, the derivation of the English occupational surname comes from the Old English, pre-7th century verb tucian, meaning "to torment". It would have been for a fuller, also known as a "walker", one who softened freshly woven cloth by beating and tramping on it in stale urine. "Tucker" was the usual term in the southwest of England (and South Wales as well), "walker" in the west and north, and "fuller" in the southeast and East Anglia.

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of one Baldwin Tuckere in the 1236 Records of Battle Abbey in Sussex. Nevertheless, one should not be too hasty to assign English origin to bearers of the surname.

German and Dutch origins

Linguistically, the word tucker is assumed to be related to the German Tucher, which means "cloth-maker". In the 15th century, the bulk of the German cotton trade was in the hands of the Tucher von Simmelsdorf family in Nürnberg, where Tucher Castle still stands.

In Old Dutch, which is closely related to Old German, the word tuch was often used as a verb to mean "to tug sharply" (see above). The similar linguistic origin of these words is also recognizable in the English etymology.

In the Netherlands the earliest known Tuckers are the brothers Jan and Willam die Tucker, both vassals of the Lord of Culemborg in 1358 who was parented to the Lord of Breda where Jan Tucker sold a house in 1368 on the Hagedijk Road to Antwerp in the city of Breda. Breda held a local monopoly on the wool trade in those days. Over the centuries the Dutch form of the surname has been spelled both Tucker and Tukker.

Possible Irish origin

Tucker can also be an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O'Tuachair, which first appeared in the Annals of Ulster in 1126 AD as Uá Tuathchair. It is not uncommon to see Anglicized representations of Irish surnames, and myriad examples may be cited. According to Patrick Woulfe, in his book Irish Names and Surnames it is the name of two distinct septs; one from the Irish Midlands region known as Ely-O'Carroll (which includes parts of County Tipperary and County Offaly), and another from County Mayo. These findings were confirmed by the first Chief Herald of Ireland, Edward MacLysaght, and published in his book More Irish Families.

Variants of the Irish surname include Toher, Togher, and Tougher.

People with the surname "Tucker" include

A

Aaron Tucker (born 1981), Canadian writer

Abi Tucker (born 1973), Australian singer-songwriter

Abraham Tucker (1705–1774), English philosopher

Adele Tucker (1868–1971), Bermudian schoolteacher

Adrian Tucker (born 1976), Welsh footballer

Adrian Tucker (cricketer) (born 1969), Australian cricketer

Al Tucker (1943–2001), American basketball player

Alando Tucker (born 1984), American basketball player

Albert Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Alexander Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Alfred Tucker (1849–1914), Equatorial Guinean bishop

Allen Tucker (1866–1939), American artist

Allen Tucker (Medal of Honor) (1838–1903), American soldier

Amy Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Anand Tucker (born 1963), Thai-British filmmaker

Andre Tucker, American football trainer

Andrew Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Angela Tucker, American writer

Anna Tucker (1920–2012), American civil servant

B

Barbara Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Barry Tucker (born 1952), Welsh footballer

Beatrice Edna Tucker (1897/1898–1984), American obstetrician

Ben Tucker (1930–2013), American bassist

Benjamin Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Bernard Tucker (1901–1950), English ornithologist

Bert Tucker (1944–2014), Belizean politician

Bessie Tucker (1906–1933), American singer-songwriter

Beverley D. Tucker (1846–1930), American bishop

Bill Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Billy Tucker (born 1948), English footballer

B. J. Tucker (born 1980), American football player

Bobby Tucker (1923–2007), American pianist

Buddy Tucker, American minister

Brad Tucker (born 1992), New Zealand rugby union footballer

Brett Tucker (born 1972), Australian actor

Brett Tucker (cricketer) (born 1979), South African cricketer

Brian Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Brooks Tucker, American government official

C

Carole Tucker, British professor

Casey Tucker (born 1995), American football player

Catherine Tucker (born 1977), American professor

C. Delores Tucker (1927–2005), American politician and activist

Cécile Tucker (born 1969), American rower

Charles Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Charlotte Maria Tucker (1821–1893), English writer

Cheyna Tucker (born 1990), South African squash player

Chris Tucker (born 1972), American actor

Christopher Tucker (1946–2022), British make-up artist

Clarke Tucker (born 1981), American politician

Clay Tucker (born 1980), American basketball player

Cleopatra Tucker (born 1943), American politician

Cliff Tucker (1989–2018), American basketball player

Clifton Tucker (1888–1973), Australian rules footballer

Cole Tucker (born 1996), American baseball player

Cole Tucker (actor) (1953–2015), American actor

Colm Tucker (1952–2012), Irish rugby union footballer

D

Dakarai Tucker (born 1994), American basketball player

Dalton Tucker (born 2000), American football player

Daniel Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Dar Tucker (born 1988), American-Jordanian basketball player

Dara Tucker, American singer-songwriter

Darcy Tucker (born 1975), Canadian hockey player

Darcy Tucker (footballer) (born 1997), Australian rules footballer

Darren Tucker (born 1962), Australian cricketer

David Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Deborah Tucker, American actress

Deborah Tucker (executive), American activist

Delmi Tucker (born 1997), South African cricketer

Demetria Tucker, American librarian

Dexter Tucker (born 1979), English footballer

Donald Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Dudley Gilman Tucker (1887–1918), American soldier

Duke Tucker (born 1970), Wisconsin politician

Duncan Tucker, American filmmaker

E

Earl Snakehips Tucker (1905–1937), American dancer

Ebenezer Tucker (1758–1845), American judge and legislator

Eddie Tucker (born 1966), American baseball player

Eddie Tucker (footballer) (born 1932), Australian rules footballer

Edward Tucker (??–1739), British merchant and politician

Elena J. Tucker, Australian geneticist

E. M. Tucker, American architect

Emma Tucker (born 1966/1967), English journalist

Emmanuel Tucker, Sierra Leonean bishop

Eric Tucker (1932–2018), English painter

Eric James Tucker (1927–1957), Indian army officer

Ernest Tucker (1931–2019), Canadian author, educator, and journalist

Ethan Tucker, American rabbi

Ethelyn Maria Tucker (1871–1959), American botanist

Eugene A. Tucker (1856–1942), American attorney and politician

Evelyn Tucker (1906–1996), American war hero

F

Forrest Tucker (1919–1986), American actor

Forrest Tucker (criminal) (1920–2004), American criminal

Francis Tucker (1923–2008), South African racing driver

Francis Bland Tucker (1895–1984), American priest

Frank T. Tucker (1864–1910), American politician

Fred C. Tucker (1918–1994), American businessman

G

Gardiner L. Tucker, American scientist

Gee Tucker (born 1946), American actor

George Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Gerald Tucker (1922–1979), American basketball coach

Gerard Tucker (1885–1974), Australian priest

Geri Coleman Tucker, American journalist

Gideon J. Tucker (1826–1899), American lawyer and politician

Gil Tucker (born 1947), Australian actor

Glyn Tucker (born 1943), New Zealand musician

Gordon Tucker, American rabbi

Gordon Tucker (footballer) (born 1968), English footballer

Gregory Tucker (born 1957), American politician

Gene Tucker, Iconic Australian

H

Harold Tucker (1930–2015), English politician

Harold Logie Tucker (born 1968), Sierra Leonean politician

Hazel Tucker (born 1965), New Zealand anthropologist

Helen F. Tucker (1902–1986), American biochemist

Henry Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Herman Tucker (1928–2001), American truck driver

H. G. Tucker (1879–1936), American politician

Holly Tucker (born 1977), British entrepreneur

Holly Tucker (musician) (born 1992), American singer-songwriter

Howard Tucker (1922–2025), American neurologist

Hugh Tucker (1537–1586), English politician

Hugh Tucker (drag racer), American racing driver

I

Irene Tucker, American philosopher

J

Jack Tucker (born 1999), English footballer

Jacob R. Tucker (1845–1926), American soldier

Jalie Tucker (born 1954), American professor

James Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Jane Tucker (born 1949), British actress

Janeiro Tucker (born 1975), Bermudan cricketer

Janine Tucker, American lacrosse coach

Jason Tucker (born 1976), American football player

Jason Tucker (footballer) (born 1973), English footballer

J. E. Tucker (1833–1910), American politician

Jeff Tucker (luger) (born 1956), American luger

Jeffrey Tucker (born 1963), American writer and publisher

Jennifer Tucker, American professor

Jerry Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Jim Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Jimmy Tucker (born 1970), English rugby union footballer

Jon Tucker (born 1982), Pipeline Controller and Back-up Specialist

John Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Jonathan Tucker (born 1982), American actor

K

K.A. Tucker, Canadian novelist

Kane Tucker (born 2000), Irish boxer

Karla Faye Tucker (1959–1998), American murderer

Kathryn Tucker (born 1959), American attorney

Kathryn Tucker (producer), American film producer

Ken Tucker, American media critic

Ken Tucker (footballer) (1925–2008), English footballer

Kenrick Tucker (born 1959), Australian cyclist

Kerrie Tucker (born 1948), Australian politician and activist

Kevin Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Kinder Tucker (1875–1939), New Zealand cricketer

Kristina Tucker (born 1980), Swedish golfer

Kwame Tucker (born 1976), Bermudian cricketer

Kyle Tucker (born 1997), American baseball player

L

Lamin Tucker (born 1982), Sierra Leonean sprinter

Larry Tucker (politician) (1935–2016), American politician

Larry Tucker (screenwriter) (1934–2001), American television writer

Ledyard Tucker (1910–2004), American mathematician

Lee Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Lem Tucker (1938–1991), American journalist

Lew Tucker (born 1950), American computer scientist

Lisa Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Liz Tucker, British filmmaker

Lorcan Tucker (born 1996), Irish cricketer

Lorenzo Tucker (1907–1986), American actor

Louise Tucker (born 1956), English soprano

Luther Tucker (1936–1993), American guitarist

Luther Tucker (publisher) (1802–1873), American publisher

M

Malcolm Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Marc Tucker (born 1939), American business executive

Marcia Tucker (1940–2006), American art historian

Marcus Tucker (born 1992), American football player

Margaret Tucker (1904–1996), Australian activist

Margaret A. Tucker, American oncologist

Maria Luisa Tucker (born 1979), American journalist

Marianne Tucker (born 1937), British canoeist

Mark Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Marlon Tucker (born 1960), Jamaican cricketer

Mary Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Matthew Tucker (born 1991), American football player

Maureen Tucker (born 1944), American musician

Maurice Tucker (born 1946), British geologist

Max Tucker (born 1991), Hong Kong cricketer

Mel Tucker (born 1972), American football coach

Michael Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Mick Tucker (1947–2002), English musician

Mickey Tucker (born 1941), American pianist

N

Nadame Tucker (born 2000), American football player

Nancy Bernkopf Tucker (1948–2012), American diplomat

Nathaniel Beverley Tucker (1784–1851), American author

Nathaniel Beverley Tucker (journalist) (1820–1890), American diplomat

Neely Tucker (born 1963), American journalist

Neil Tucker (1915–1981), Australian rules footballer

Nicholas Tucker, English academic

Nick Tucker (born 1985), American stock car racing driver

Noi Tucker (born 1960), Australian lawn bowler

Norman Tucker (1910–1978), English musician

O

Ollie Tucker (1902–1940), American baseball player

Orrin Tucker (1911–2011), American musician

Otto Tucker (1923–2015), Canadian activist

P

Pamela Tucker (born 1963), American politician

Patty Tucker (born 1954), American bridge player

Paul Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Perc Tucker (1919–1980), Australian politician

Percy Tucker (1928–2021), South African author

Peter L. Tucker (1927–2017), Sierra Leonean civil servant

Petrese B. Tucker (born 1951), American judge

Phil Tucker (1927–1985), American filmmaker

P. J. Tucker (born 1985), American basketball player

Pomeroy Tucker (1802–1870), American politician

Preston Tucker (1903–1956), American entrepreneur

Preston Tucker (baseball) (born 1990), American baseball player

R

Rachel Tucker (born 1981), Northern Irish singer and actress

Ralph Tucker (1906–1977), American politician

Rayjon Tucker (born 1997), American basketball player

Raymond Tucker (1896–1970), American politician

Reuben Tucker (born 1956), Guamanian wrestler

Reuben Henry Tucker III (1911–1970), American army officer

Rex Tucker (1913–1996), British television director

Rex Tucker (American football) (born 1976), American football player

Richard Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Robbie Tucker (born 2001), American actor

Robert Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Roberto Tucker (born 1983), Argentine footballer

Rod Tucker (born 1964), Australian cricket umpire

Roger Tucker (born 1945), British film director

Rolando Tucker (born 1971), Cuban fencer

Ron Tucker (1921–1986), Australian rules footballer

Rosa Lee Tucker (1866–1946), American librarian

Rose Tucker, Australian filmmaker

S

Sam Tucker (1895–1973), English rugby union footballer

Samuel Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Sara Tucker, American civil servant

Sarah Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Scott Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Sean Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Seth Brady Tucker (born 1969), American poet

Shankar Tucker (born 1987), American musician

Shelby Tucker (born 1935), American lawyer

Sherrie Tucker (born 1957), American musicologist

Shirley Cotter Tucker (born 1927), American botanist

Shona Tucker, American actress

Shonna Tucker, American musician

S. J. Tucker (born 1980), American singer-songwriter

S. Lane Tucker, American lawyer

Sophie Tucker (1884–1966), singer and comedian

Spencer Tucker (1865–1948), New Zealand cricketer

Spurgeon Tucker (1894–1968), American painter

Stanley Tucker (1931–2008), Canadian pilot

T

Talen Horton-Tucker (born 2000), American basketball player

Tamauri Tucker (born 1988), Bermudian cricketer

Tanya Tucker (born 1958), American country musician

Ted Tucker (born 1949), Canadian ice hockey player

Teeny Tucker (born 1958), American singer-songwriter

Temple Tucker (born 1936), American basketball player

Terre Tucker (1944–1990), American model

Therese Tucker (born 1961/1962), American businesswoman

Thomas Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Thurman Tucker (1917–1993), American baseball player

Tilghman Tucker (1802–1859), American politician

Timothy Tucker, American pharmacist

T. J. Tucker (born 1978), American baseball player

Todd Tucker (born 1979), American academic

Todd Tucker (director), American film director

Tom Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Tony Tucker (born 1958), American boxer

Tony Jaye Tucker Jr. (born 1989), American football player

V

Verran Tucker (born 1988), American football player

Virginia Tucker (1909–1985), American mathematician

W

Wallace Hampton Tucker, American astrophysicist

Walter Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Warwick Tucker, Australian mathematician

Wendell Tucker (born 1943), American football player

Whit Tucker (1940–2024), Canadian football player

Wilburn Tucker (1920–1980), American football coach

Will Tucker (born 1998), New Zealand rugby union footballer

William Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Willis Tucker (1922–2000), American politician

Wilson Tucker (disambiguation), multiple people

Y

Yvonne Edwards Tucker (born 1941), American potter and educator

Fictional characters

Cale Tucker, the main protagonist of the 2000 animated science fiction epic film Titan A.E.

Cameron Tucker, character in the television series Modern Family

Craig Tucker, a recurring South Park character

Malcolm Tucker, master of spin in Armando Iannucci's The Thick of It and In the Loop

Nina Tucker, character on the Australian soap opera television series Neighbours

Shou Tucker and his daughter Nina, characters in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and anime series

Trip Tucker, character on the television series Star Trek: Enterprise