Surname Whitlock - Meaning and Origin

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S. Whitlock

Whitlock: What does the surname Whitlock mean?

The surname Whitlock is derived from the Old English words "hwit" and "loc" which mean "white" and "enclosure" respectively. Consequently, the name can be interpreted to mean “a white enclosure”. In other words, it is likely derived from the name of a place with a white fence, wall or other bounded terrain. It might be the name of a physical place such as a village or estate, or a farm or pasture land.

The surname Whitlock is common in the English language, seen in multiple geographical locations. In England it can be found in counties such as Devonshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire and Lancashire; while in Scotland it appears mostly in towns of Northumbria and Dumfriesshire. In the United States, Whitlock is most common in states such as Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi and Kentucky.

The name Whitlock is associated with various historical figures, including many prominent men and women in a variety of fields. This includes members of royal families, painters, musicians and actors. Examples include the English songwriter and poet William Whitlock (circa 1675–1716), Swedish painter and printmaker Carl Otto Czeschka (1878–1960), American actress and comedian Carol Jean Whitlock Hall (1944–2016) and Swedish business magnate Krisztina Whitlock (born 1975).

Ultimately, the surname Whitlock likely originated with an ancestor who lived in or near a white enclosure – be it a homestead, a village, a manor or other property. Over the centuries, the name has come to denote a person of successful, well-respected lineage.

Whitlock: Where does the name Whitlock come from?

The last name Whitlock is relatively common in the United States, where it is most popular in the southern states. It is believed to have originated in England, where it was originally a place name referring to a wall-like structure constructed from white stones.

In the United States today, Whitlock is particularly popular in Georgia, where it is ranked within the top 400 surnames and is the 277th most common surname overall. It is also among the top 200 most common surnames in Alabama and Tennessee, where its ranks stand at 165th and 157th most common, respectively.

Outside of the southern region of the US in which it is most commonly found, Whitlock is relatively rare. Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas are all among the other states in which it is found, though its prevalence is much lower. It ranks in the top 500 surnames or higher in every other US state.

In other parts of the world, Whitlock is sparser still. It is typically found in Anglophone countries, particularly in the UK, Australia, and Canada where it is among the top 1000 surnames. Beyond that, it is much more rare.

Variations of the surname Whitlock

The Whitlock surname is mainly encountered in the British Isles, although variants of the name appear all across the world. The origin of the surname is thought to be a combination of Old English and Old French words meaning “white lake”. Variants of the surname include Whitelock, Whitlick, Whitelake, Whittelock and Whiteclay. There are also regional variations of the Whitlock surname, such as Whittacker in Scotland and Whittaker in Yorkshire.

In the U.S., the spelling Whitlock is most commonly found among families who had their roots in south-eastern England, especially in Kent. This region bore many different spellings of Whitlock, including Wytecloke, Whiclocke, Wyteclayke, and Whetlocke.

Variants of the surname are also found in Germany, including Wittelock, Witeloc, Whitelocke and Whitlock. In France, the name is found as Weisslock, while in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, the names Whitleck and Wittelock are found. Whitlock is also found in Scotland, where it is found spelled as Whitleock or Whiteleik.

In addition, Whitlock is used as a given name for both men and women and can sometimes be found spelled as Whitlick, Wittlick, Whittlick, Whitelock, Whitellock, Whetlock and Whitlake.

Famous people with the name Whitlock

• Scott Whitlock: American journalist and media critic currently working for Fox News
• Sharna Burgess: Australian professional dancer, TV performer
• Kendrick Whitlock: Former American football player
• Colin Whitlock: American singer/songwriter and record producer
• Alan Whitlock: British historian and author
• Keshana Whitlock: American track and field athlete
• Penny Whitlock: British writer and visual artist
• Nikki Whitlock: American artist and photographer
• Lynne Whitlock: American actress and voice actress
• Brian Whitlock: American actor and former professional wrestler

Other surnames

WhitlochWhitlockeWhitlocks