Surname Blacklock - Meaning and Origin
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Blacklock: What does the surname Blacklock mean?
The surname Blacklock comes from the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain. It is derived from the Old English words "blaec," which means "black," and "locc," which means "lock of hair." Therefore, Blacklock typically refers to someone who had dark hair or perhaps a distinctive black patch of hair. The name could be a descriptive nickname that later turned into a surname. It has been speculated that Blacklock could also refer to someone who worked as a locksmith, and the color black could be an indication of iron or metal, which were commonly used materials in that occupation. Like many surnames of ancient origin, different families with the surname Blacklock may not be related, and family groups may have adopted the surname independently for different reasons. Today, there are many variations of the name, including Blacklocke, Blakelock, Blakelocke, and others. This surname is seen in countries with a history of British presence, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as the UK itself.
Order DNA origin analysisBlacklock: Where does the name Blacklock come from?
The surname Blacklock is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words 'blaec' meaning 'black', and 'loc' referring to 'lock or curl of hair'. Thus, it was likely initially used as a nickname for individuals with dark or black hair. The surname first surfaced in the county of Cumberland (now part of Cumbria), England.
The earliest mentions of the Blacklock surname date back to the 13th century. Thomas Blacklock was a notable 18th century Scottish poet who was born blind.
Today, the Blacklock surname is not particularly common. Nonetheless, it can be found in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand due to the historical emigration from England to these countries. The highest concentration of individuals bearing this surname reportedly exists in North America and Northern England.
Variations of the surname Blacklock
The surname Blacklock originates from the Old English pre-7th Century "blaec", meaning black, and "locc", meaning lock (of hair). Variants of the surname include Blacklocke, Blacklog, Blacklok, and Blackloke. Similarly spelled surnames include Blacklocke, Blackloch, and Blackloke. This surname has also been Anglicized in other ways, such as Blacklocks, Blacklox and Blacklockes.
However, this surname could also be of Scottish origin due to its prevalence in the Borders region of Scotland. In Scotland, it could be a locational surname derived from Black Loch, a place in Lanark, or another Black Loch in Wigtown. There's an alternative theory that Blacklock may refer to someone with dark or black hair, echoing the English interpretation.
Despite these theories, it is still challenging to provide a comprehensive list of surnames of the same origin without a sense of geographic context or time specifics because surnames can change spellings and take on new forms due to linguistic, cultural, or personal factors. Furthermore, some descendants may have varied or anglicized surnames not immediately recognisable as stemming from Blacklock.
Famous people with the name Blacklock
- Leonard Blacklock: An English footballer who played as a forward for Sunderland AFC and Durham City AFC in the early 20th century.
- Ruth Blacklock: A famous Australian actress known for her roles in popular television shows.
- William Blacklock: He was an English botanist who specialized in the cultivation of ornamental plants.
- Robert Blacklock, Senior: A prominent Scottish poet of the 18th century who was known for his works despite being blind since infancy.
- Thomas Blacklock: He was a Scottish poet and clergyman, notable for supporting Robert Burns.
- Bill Blacklock: A former rugby union player who represented Australia.
- Clarence Blacklock: A celebrated Australian rules footballer.
- Hannah Blacklock: She is an English cricketer who plays as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler for North East Warriors and Durham. It should be noted that there is no extensive list of very famous celebrities bearing the surname 'Blacklock'. The majority of the individuals listed here are lesser known or known within their field/region.