Surname Wellock - Meaning and Origin
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Wellock: What does the surname Wellock mean?
The last name Wellock is believed to have originated in Lancashire and Yorkshire in northern England. The name was likely derived from a place name which originally descended from Old English words describing a wet or watery patch of land. It's possible that this name was also derived from the Old English word 'wielle', meaning 'a spring of water', which may further explain the name's origin.
The name Wellock has been carried by several different families throughout English history. It has been primarily found in northwest parts of England with a few instances in the Midlands and South East as well.
Wellock families have always had a special relationship with the sea. Records show that families with this name had a strong presence in the sailing, fishing and other maritime industries of several of the British coastal towns and villages. This link to the sea is believed to also be reflected in the Wellock family crest and coat of arms which features three silver sea horses as the primary design.
As of the most recent UK census in 2011, the last name Wellock was the 14,448th most common name in Britain. Today the name remains fairly popular and there are still Wellock families living in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and other parts of England.
Order DNA origin analysisWellock: Where does the name Wellock come from?
The last name Wellock is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. In fact, it is one of the top 50 surnames in England and Wales. Records of the name in Great Britain date back to as early as the 13th century. The name appears to be of Saxon origin, derived from the Old English phrase “Weoloc.” This phrase translates to “ muddy stream” or “wild stream.”
Today, the last name is most popular in Northern Ireland. According to records from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, it is the 21st most commonly found surname throughout the region. It is also one of the most common surnames taken upon marriage in the country.
In the United States, the name is less common. It is still present though with the name ranking 321st out of 88,799 surnames. It is especially popular in Pennsylvania, where records show that there are multiples occurrences of the last name.
Overall, the last name Wellock is found across the English-speaking world. While not necessarily a common name, the late name carries a long history in England and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Wellock
The original spelling of the surname Wellock is Wellock. It is an English habitational surname derived from the settlement of Wellock located in West Yorkshire. Wellock is derived from the Middle English word ‘welleok’, meaning a body of water with oak trees. This surname was likely given to a family who originated in this settlement, or to someone who took the name from living near there.
Variations of the surname Wellock include Wellok, Welloke, Wellocke, Welock, Welok, Weloke, Velock, Velok, and Veloke. These alternate spellings are most commonly found in old legal documents such as charters and wills.
Other surnames of the same origin as Wellock include Welloch, Wellochs, Wellochke and Weloch. These variants were likely adopted by families due to their similar phonetic sound.
In some cases, the surname may also be encountered as Weller or Wellors. This could be the result of a transcription error, or because they are variants of the same surname. The Weller surname is derived from the Germanic given name ‘Geweller’, and is a surname that pre-dates the Wellock name. That said, this spelling could also have its origins in the local dialect in some cases.
Therefore, many surnames may be of the same origin as Wellock. Variants are the result of dialects, phonetics, and transcription errors, and can make it difficult to trace family lines. It is important to review all possible spellings and variants in order to trace family history.
Famous people with the name Wellock
- Doug Wellock: former professional football player in the English Football League, who played centre forward for Darlington, Burnley, Wigan Athletic, Tranmere Rovers, and York City.
- Eric Wellock: professional footballer in the English Football League, who played forward for Sunderland, Hartlepool United, and Mansfield Town from 1981 to 1993.
- Alex Wellock: professional ice hockey player who plays center for the Orgeon Ducks of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. 4.born Patrick Wellock: English musician, best known as the frontman of indie rock band The View.
- John Wellock: English artist, printmaker and illustrator.
- James Wellock: English author and philosopher.
- Harry Wellock: English author and musicologist.
- Gary Wellock: English artist and printmaker.
- Charles Wellock: English goldsmith and silversmith from Sheffield.
- Elizabeth Wellock: English professor and author specialising in religion and philosophy.