Surname Willock - Meaning and Origin
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Willock: What does the surname Willock mean?
The surname Willock derives from an old northern English place name, stemming from the Old Norse "Ville-haugr", meaning 'willow hill'. The word "Haugr" ultimately derives from the Old Norse word haugr, meaning mound or hill. Thus, historically, people who bore the surname Willock were likely from a place that was known for its willow-covered mounds or hills.
Those who have the name Willock can trace their lineage to an ancient Northern English family. Records from the 12th and 13th centuries show the name being given to families living in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, and Westmorland. This indicates that the name Willock was concentrated in harsh, rural areas of northern England.
The name Willock can be translated in a spiritual context as well. The willow tree has long been associated with sorrow; people often thought of it as a symbol of sorrow, grief, and regret. Therefore, the Willock family name can be seen as a tribute not only to an ancestral home, but a reminder of struggles and hardships the family faced and endured.
Today, the surname remains popular among English and Irish families. Willocks are widely scattered throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, and a number of people around the globe have adopted the name. The name continues to carry a great deal of history and legacy, spanning centuries and cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisWillock: Where does the name Willock come from?
The last name Willock is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, England, and Wales. In Scotland, Willock is the 80th most common surname and is found mostly in the south, in particular Glascow, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire. In England, Willock is the 451st most common surname and is seen in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and the South West of England. In Wales, Willock appears to be much less common, with only 13 occurrences of the surname in the 1891 census.
The surname is also seen in the United States, most prominently in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. In more recent years, emigrants have taken the surname throughout the world, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The origin of the surname Willock is an old Germanic personal name containing the element "will" meaning desire or wish. Later, the name was adapted to "willock" and eventually became a surname.
Overall, the surname Willock is most common in the United Kingdom, but is also found elsewhere in the United States and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Willock
The surname Willock has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The Willock surname originated in Scotland, and is of patronymic origin, being derived from the given name William, derived from the Germanic name Willahelm, meaning "strong-willed warrior".
Variants of the Willock name include Wiloch, Willick, Willox, Willix, Wiloc, Wyloc, Willoch, Wilcox and Wilick, as well as Willicks, Willickes and Wilockes.
Spellings of the Willock surname include Wilcox, Wilichs, Wylloch, Wylock, Wylox, Wylicks, Wylocke, Willock and Willooke.
Surnames of the same origin as the Willock surname include Willock, Willet, Willett, Willick, Willits, Willat, Wilkes, Wilkins, Wilkinson, Willsson and Willson.
Famous people with the name Willock
- Ben Willock: former professional soccer player who played for Stade de Reims
- Maggie Willock: Professional ballerina and the founder of Willock Dance Education
- Steve Willock: Professional string-instrument maker specializing in classical guitars and mandolins
- Thomas Willock: Professional ballet coach and former British National dance competitor
- Charlie Willock: Professional soccer player currently playing for Clyde FC in the Scottish Championship
- Alex Willock: Professional rally driver and co-driver winning the 2010 Dutch Kampioenschap Rally
- Tom Willock: Professional tennis player ranked 45th in the world tennis rankings
- Mary Willock: Professional illustrator and author of children’s books such as “The Railway Town”
- John Willock: Professional chef and restaurateur who has appeared on the BBC’s Kitchen Nightmares series
- Eliza Willock: American writer and poet, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic