Dictionary of Family Names

NOAKES, NOKES.   A corruption of Atten Oak, "at the oak;" en was added to at when the following word began with a vowel, as "John Atten Ash"—John Nash, that is, John at the Ash.  Mr. John Nokes is a celebrated personage in legal matters, as well as his constant antagonist Mr. John Styles (John at the Style).  The names are so common, that "Jack Noakes and Tom Styles" designates the rabble.