Surname Afleck - Meaning and Origin
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Afleck: What does the surname Afleck mean?
The last name Afleck is of Anglo-Scottish origin and is derived from the Old English term "flecc" meaning "stream". It was first used to denote someone who lived in a low-lying area near a stream. The surname is most commonly found in eastern Scotland and northern England, with the earliest known bearer of the name being one Robertus de Flecce of Aberdeenshire in 1296.
The name Afleck is also found in Ireland, although it is not as common, and is believed to be of Irish origin. It is commonly believed to be derived from the Gaelic term "Oithligh", meaning "descendant of Aithle", an ancient Irish personal name.
In addition to Scotland and Ireland, the Afleck surname is found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It often appears in census records, property records, military records and other public records.
The Afleck name is associated with several notable individuals, including Scottish tennis player Gordon Afleck, American meet researcher Nathaniel Afleck, and Australian mathematician Thomas Afleck.
In summary, the last name Afleck is of Anglo-Scottish, Irish and potentially Danish origin. It was first found in Scotland and is still found in many countries around the world today. It is associated with several famous people throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisAfleck: Where does the name Afleck come from?
The last name Afleck is most commonly found today in parts of the United Kingdom, specifically Scotland and Northern Ireland. While the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is thought to have derived from a Gaelic reference to someone living near a hill or cliff. According to data from the UK Office of National Statistics, Afleck is the 576th most common surname in England and Wales out of a total of almost 48,000 surnames in the UK. It ranked slightly higher in Scotland, at 633rd out of around 10000 surnames.
The name Afleck is also recorded in the United States, where it is believed to have been brought over by English and Scottish settlers. It is most common in Pennsylvania, where it shares a brief history with the Aflecks of Hardhill in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The Afleck family has been traced back to the late 13th Century and is related to the Murray Clan of Scotland.
Today, Afleck is neither particularly common or uncommon around the world, with the number of people with the surname being just over 10,000 in both the UK and US combined.
Variations of the surname Afleck
The surname Afleck is derived from a place name from the Scottish regions of Ayrshire, Kincardineshire, and Aberdeenshire. It is derived from the Old Gaelic name Atha Fala or Ath Fala, which means “dwelling of the falcon”.
The variants of Afleck include Fleck, Flecke, Flech, Fletch, Fleuch, Fleece, and Flesch. Some of the alternate spellings are Affleck, Flec, and Phlec. Common surnames with the same origin are Auldfleck, Balfleck, and MacFleck.
The spelling of the surname can also differ according to the dialect used in different regions. For instance, in Scotland, it is spelled as “Aflick” while in the United States it is usually spelled “Affleck” or “Fleck”.
The variants of the surname Afleck represent a wide range of spelling and pronunciation variations, and can be found in records dating back to the time of the Norman conquest. It is an incredibly common surname, particularly in Scotland and parts of Northern England. Variations of it are also found in many parts of the world, having been spread by Scottish immigrants throughout the centuries.
The different spellings of Afleck often cause confusion within genealogical research. It's important to be aware of the various spellings and related surnames when investigating family trees. Knowing the various spellings and how they are pronounced can help to ensure accurate and comprehensive research.
Famous people with the name Afleck
- Ben Affleck: Hollywood actor, writer, director, and producer. He rose to stardom in the late 1990s after playing the lead role in the crime drama film Good Will Hunting (1997). He went on to become a successful Hollywood director and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
- Casey Affleck: an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his role in the 2006 crime drama Gone Baby Gone and for his appearance in the popular Ocean's trilogy. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2017 for his performance in Manchester by the Sea.
- Christopher Affleck: Former Hollywood film producer and writer, Christopher is the older brother of Ben Affleck. He is best known for producing the 1996 romantic drama Chasing Amy.
- Matt Affleck: an American professional poker player from Los Angeles, California. He achieved fame when he placed third in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event.
- Robert Affleck: Canadian film producer and director. He is best known for producing and directing the mystery movie Heartless in 2015, which won the Genie Award for Best Picture.
- Teren Affleck: an American musician and talent manager. He is the brother of Ben and Casey Affleck and best known for managing the successful pop group 'Boyz II Men'.