Thomas Cooke (ca.1770) is the earliest known ancestor of the Cooke family of Corkerbeg, Co. Donegal, Ireland. He was the father of at least four children. One of his sons was George Cooke (1802-1887) who, in turn, was the father of eight children. Five of these children eventually settled in America while another settled in Australia. Those Cookes who traveled to America settled in Cayahoga Falls, Ohio. Descendants live in Ohio and other parts of the United States. William Cooke settled in New South Wales, Australia where descendants live at present. Descendants of George Cooke also live in Ireland.