Surname Witlock - Meaning and Origin

Witlock: What does the surname Witlock mean?

The surname Witlock is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "witeloc," meaning "white lock," likely referring to someone with white hair. It is believed that the name was adopted by an early bearer of the name whose distinguishing feature was a white lock of hair.

The Witlock surname is also sometimes found as Witleck and Whitelek. It is part of a larger group of similar surnames, all of which refer to people with white locks of hair. These names include Witlac, Whittle, Wiatlock and Wylock.

Today, the surname Witlock is still fairly uncommon, but is found in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Those bearing this surname are likely to be descended from families who have traveled from England in order to gain a better life.

The surname Witlock is associated with a strong sense of family, a desire for accomplishment and recognition and a proud appreciation of their history and heritage. They are likely to be aware of their past and to have a strong sense of the importance of looking after family. People with this surname are often generous and have high standards and a strong work ethic.

Witlock: Where does the name Witlock come from?

The last name Witlock is most commonly found today in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the highest concentration of individuals with the last name Witlock is found in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, there are also many people with the last name Witlock in Alberta, Canada, likely as a result of migration from the United States.

Most census data indicates that the last name Witlock is of German origin, although there are numerous theories that suggest a Celtic origin. In the United States, the last name is most commonly found among Pennsylvania Germans who settled there after immigrating from Germany sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The Witlock surname is relatively rare today and is estimated to be held by fewer than 700 individuals in the United States. This number could be even lower due to the fact that there are numerous variations of the last name such as Witlock, Whitlock, Wytlock, and Witleck. Variations of the name are found throughout Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Despite its rarity, the last name Witlock continues to be passed down through families. It has become part of their history and a reflection of their heritage. While it may not be as popular as some other last names, it is still an important part of many families’ history.

Variations of the surname Witlock

The surname Witlock is most commonly seen in its original spelling, however there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of the Witlock surname can be spelt in multiple ways, such as Witloc, Witlocke, Wightlocke, Whiteclock, and Whitlok. Though these may look quite different written, they are variants of the same name and can all trace their roots back to the same place.

The spelling of the surname can also vary between countries. In Germany, the surname is often spelt as ‘Witloch’, while in Poland it may be more common to see ‘Witlok’. In France, the surname is ‘Witelock’, while in Spain it is commonly ‘Whitlock’.

Surnames of a similar origin include Wightlock, Wytlok, Wyttlecker, Whitloch, Whitecake, and Wylock. Each of these surnames share a common Anglo-Saxon root word, though the spelling can appear differently.

Though this list is not exhaustive, it does demonstrate that the surname ‘Witlock’ is present in a variety of spellings, variants and other forms around the world.

Famous people with the name Witlock

• Bill Witlock: American actor, father of musician Mike Witlock and grandfather of musician Dan Witlock and actor Ethan Witlock.
• Dave Witlock: American football player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders.
• Kelly Witlock: Canadian cross-country skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
• Dave Witlock: Sound engineer and producer who worked on music albums for Santana, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, and many others.
• Eric Witlock: Animation director and artist who has worked on films such as The Simpsons, Futurama, and Ratatouille.
• Amber Witlock: American actress known for her roles in the television series Life Unexpected and Desperate Housewives.
• Patti Witlock: American actress who was a regular on the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
• Richard Witlock: American inventor and entrepreneur who co-founded the first portable instant film camera, the Polaroid Swinger.
• Mike Witlock: American singer-songwriter, son of actor Bill Witlock and father of musician Dan Witlock and actor Ethan Witlock.
• Dan Witlock: American singer-songwriter and husband of actress Hettienne Park, son of musician Mike Witlock and father of actor Ethan Witlock.
• Ethan Witlock: American actor and son of musician Mike Witlock and musician Dan Witlock.

Other surnames

WitlocWitlokWitlox