Wakeman Family History

English: occupational name from Middle English wakeman ‘watchman town guard’ also ‘municipal officer responsible for night-time security and the town musicians’. Wakeman was the title of the chief magistrate of the borough of Ripon until 1604 when it was changed to mayor.

He was the head of the body of wakemen whose duty was to blow a cow's horn every night at nine o'clock. If between then and sunrise any burglary took place it was made good at the public charge.

See also Watchman.