BLACKLOCK
Blacklock is a surname that has its roots in both English and Scottish heritage, reflecting a linguistic heritage that dates back to the early medieval period of the British Isles. The name originates from the Old English words blaec meaning “black” or “dark” and locc meaning “lock” or “curl” of hair. Initially used as a descriptive nickname for an individual with dark or black hair, it evolved into a hereditary family name as surnames became fixed within the population.
The earliest recorded instance of the name is that of Peter Blacloke, dated to 1275 in the Wiltshire Hundred Rolls during the reign of King Edward I. Subsequent early examples include Adam Blakelok of Cumberland in 1332 and Robert Blaykeloc of Yorkshire in 1431, indicating that the name was established across northern England by the 14th century. By the late 15th and early 16th centuries, several orthographic variations were already in use, such as Blakelock, Blacklock, and Blaiklock.
In Scotland, the surname appears to have been adopted in the Borders region, possibly deriving from local place‑names such as Black Loch in Lanark or other similarly named lochs in Wigtown. Although this locational hypothesis is plausible, it remains less documented than the Anglo‑Saxon nickname origin, and distinct Scottish families bearing the name may have adopted it independently. The variation of spellings across the United Kingdom serves to illustrate how the name may have separately arisen within different communities.
The surname Blacklock persisted into the modern era and is noted in various parish records, including the marriage of John Blaiklock and Sarah Morley at Holborn, London, on 11 April 1711. In the 18th century, Thomas Blacklock emerged as a prominent Scottish poet, whose blindness and literary achievements helped bring the name into wider cultural recognition.
By the 19th century, the name had spread beyond the British Isles, appearing in countries with significant British emigration such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, while not particularly common, the surname remains identifiable in these regions, with the highest concentration still reported in northern England and North America. Variants such as Blacklocke, Blacklog, Blacklok, and Blackloke are occasionally encountered, reflecting historical orthographic fluidity.
It is important to acknowledge that, as with many surnames of ancient origin, unrelated families may share the same surname and distinct lineages may have adopted the name for different reasons. Consequently, the surname Blacklock represents a linguistic heritage that spans several centuries and regions while persisting as a marker of personal ancestry and cultural identity.
Typical given names associated with the Blacklock surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Julie
- Karen
- Kathleen
- Katy
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Sheila
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Blacklock in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 1,820 people named Blacklock in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,554th most common surname in Britain. Around 28 in a million people in Britain are named Blacklock.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Blacklock
- Thomas Blacklock - Writer (1721 to 1791)
- Joseph Blacklock - Rugby union and rugby league football player (1878 to 1945)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.