Surname Whillock - Meaning and Origin
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Whillock: What does the surname Whillock mean?
The last name Whillock is an English name, believed to have originated in Yorkshire in the mid-19th century. The name is thought to have derived from two old English words – ‘wil’, which means “willow”, and ‘halh’ which means “corner”. This gives the literal meaning of “willow corner” and may refer to a settlement around a willow tree. It could also refer to a place of shelter or lookout point. Alternately, the name could come from the old Norse ‘hvíllok’, which means “hedgehog”. This would suggest that this family may have historically been associated with hunting or fishing.
Whillock is a relatively uncommon name, shared by just a few hundred people in the UK. It is most common in the North of England where it first originated. In other parts of the UK, the name has faded out of numbers and is no longer found in many areas.
In both meanings of the name, it is associated with nature and may suggest that Whillock ancestors may have been farmers or craftspeople who lived closely with nature. It is a strong, dignified name and is highly respected across the North of England.
Order DNA origin analysisWhillock: Where does the name Whillock come from?
The last name Whillock is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were roughly 693 Whillock households in the year 2000. The Census also shows that the vast majority (over 95%) of these households are located in the Southern states of the country. Specifically, the states with the highest number of Whillock households are Texas (over 200 households), Louisiana (over 150 households), Mississippi (over 125 households), and Arkansas (over 110 households).
Though the majority of Whillock households are found in the Southern states, they can also be found in many other parts of the country as well. They are most common in the Midwest, with a notable presence in Illinois (over 15 households) and Tennessee (over 10 households). In the East coast, the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey both have a few Whillock households.
Moreover, the Global Names Index (GNI) shows that the Whillock name can also be found in Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada has a small, but noticeable, presence of Whillock households, specifically in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Lastly, the GNI shows that the Whillock name is particularly common in the United Kingdom, with over 80 households scattered across Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales.
Overall, the last name Whillock is most commonly found in the U.S. Southern region, but it is not uncommon to find it in other areas of the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Whillock
The surname Whillock can have various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations can include Whellock, Wilock, Whelock, Whilock, Wheeleck, and Wileck.
The spelling of the surname Whillock is fairly uncommon but has been found in some records dating back as far as the 13th century. This spelling may originally have been derived from an Old English place name, which could then have been transformed into a surname.
Variant spellings of Whillock are often seen in records and documents from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Whellock spelling was found predominantly in England, Scotland, and Wales, while the Wilock spelling was found mainly in Ireland. The Whelock spelling was typically seen in America during Colonial times and is still found in various parts of the US today.
The other variants, Wheeleck and Wileck, are seen far less frequently and could originate from either a variant from Whillock or from another distinct surnames.
Whillock is generally accepted as being an archaic spelling and so is rarely used in modern times. However, it is possible to find records of Whillock births, deaths, and marriages in large genealogical databases.
In conclusion, the surname Whillock has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations include Whellock, Wilock, Whelock, Whilock, Wheeleck, and Wileck and can be found in records from the 13th century to the present day.
Famous people with the name Whillock
- Greg Whillock: NFL linebacker
- Mac Whillock: actor
- Kaila Whillock: opera singer
- Natasha Whillock: painter
- Collin Whillock: restaurateur
- Tori Whillock: model
- Michael Whillock: television producer
- Yvonne Whillock: stand-up comedian
- Sean Whillock: fashion designer
- Luna Whillock: Nobel Peace Prize recipient
- Wilbur Whillock: environmentalist
- David Whillock: philanthropist
- Pacifica Whillock: ballet dancer
- Emerson Whillock: astrophysicist
- Gypsy Whillock: author
- Woody Whillock: actor
- Clara Whillock: fashion photographer
- Henry Whillock: artist
- Carson Whillock: small business owner
- Deon Whillock: Band Member
- Vicky Whillock: classical singer
- Lyle Whillock: historian
- Theo Whillock: documentary filmmaker
- Ben Whillock: professional golfer
- Isabelle Whillock: tennis player