Surname Kellock - Meaning and Origin

Kellock: What does the surname Kellock mean?

Kellock is a Scottish surname that derives from the Old Norse words 'kelda' (spring), and 'hólar' (hill), thus generally meaning "spring on a hill". The Kellocks were initially located in Fife and Kinross, Scotland. The name is considered topographic, reflective of the geographical features of the family's ancestral homeland. It's worth noting that often such names were adopted when people moved from one place to another, likely when they migrated to new areas. Hence, the surname might have been embraced by someone relocating from a place marked by springs and hills. As with other surnames, there can be variations in spelling like Kellog, Kellogg, Kelloggs, and others. The surname Kellock is prevalent among descendants of Scotland and in regions where Scottish diasporas settled, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Kellock: Where does the name Kellock come from?

The last name Kellock is of Scottish origin. It is believed to be derived from the habitational name, stemming from an area known as Kellock in Scotland. The name more specifically seems to come from the area in Fife where the Kellock burn, a stream, flows. This surname incorporates the Old English elements 'cylli' which means a water course and 'oc' which means oak, suggesting 'the oak tree by the stream'

Today, Kellock is found most frequently in the United Kingdom, particularly all across Scotland, and has a significant presence in the United States, Canada and Australia owing to Scottish emigration. However, the surname is not overly common in these countries reflecting the relatively sparse distribution of Scottish surnames due to their population size. It remains most concentrated in Scotland itself.

Variations of the surname Kellock

The surname Kellock has Scottish roots and it may have some variations in spelling due to regional differences and pronunciation. The variants of Kellock can include Kelloch, Kellog, Kellogg, Kellough, and Kellocke. This surname could also be written as Killough in some regions.

The surname Kellock is believed to be originating from a locale in Scotland. It is a habitation name from the lands of Kellock in the parish of Dunbog, Fife. Hence, there might be similar surnames that may sound like Kellock but have different origins, such as Kelly, Kellock, or Keelock.

In the tradition of heraldry, the arms for the surname Kellock generally depicts three mullets, symbolizing someone who has been enlightened. Some Kellock families might have adopted different motifs for their coats of arms, resulting in a multitude of Kellock family crests.

The use of double letters, such as the double 'l' in Kellock, is a common feature in Scottish surnames. The vowel 'o' can sometimes become 'a', an 'e', or an 'u' for some family names, hence, we could have variations like Kellack, Kelluck, or Kelleck.

Famous people with the name Kellock

• Joseph Kellock Brown (19th century botanist and naturalist)
• Will Kellock (Canadian comedian and actor)
• Edith Kellock Brown (American socialite and philanthropist)
• David Kellock (Scottish footballer)
• William Kellock (English-born Australian politician)
• John Kellock (Scottish-born Australian medical doctor)
• Harry Kellock (Australian journalist and newscaster)
• Buck Kellock (American construction superintendent and contractor)
• Agnes Kellock (née Hardman, Australian feminist and suffragist)
• Rob Kellock (Scottish Rugby Union player)
• Tony Kellock (English rugby league player)
• Jack Kellock (American jazz percussionist and drummer)
• Arthur Kellock (American businessman and lawyer)
• Frank Kellock (American playwright, actor, producer, and director)
• Sheila Kellock (British actress and dancer)
• Alison Kellock (Scottish Doctor and Royal Air Force Officer)
• Howard Kellock (Canadian businessman and entrepreneur)
• John Kellock (Australian photographer and visual artist)
• John F. Kellock (American historian and professor)
• Wally Kellock (Scottish-born American actor and playwright)

Other surnames

KelloggKellorKelloway