Surname Carlock - Meaning and Origin

Carlock: What does the surname Carlock mean?

The last name Carlock is an English toponymic surname that is derived from the Middle English personal name Carl, which is itself derived from the Old Norse Karl, meaning "free man". This personal name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The surname Carlock can be found in records beginning in the 14th century and was most likely first borne by inhabitants of Carlock, a small village in County Durham, England.

The Carlocks are thought to have originated as an ancient English family from the settlement of Carlock. The first record of this surname appears in 1379, when Robert atte Carloke was noted in the Subsidy Rolls for Devon. Later records include, Robert Carlock, who was christened at St. Mary Whitechapel in 1562, and Thomas Carlock, who married Amano White at St. George's Chapel in 1661.

The Carlocks have a strong connection to their ancestral homeland, and descendants of this name often stayed in the village of Carlock for many generations. Today the Carlock name can be found all around the world, and is especially prominent in the United States.

The Carlocks are a proud family with a long and rich history. Though the exact meaning of their surname may have been forgotten over the centuries, they take pride in their ancestral roots and value the importance of coming together as a family.

Carlock: Where does the name Carlock come from?

The surname Carlock is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern states. In the most recent US census, the highest numbers of people carrying the Carlock name were found in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. It's also relatively common in Louisiana and Kentucky, suggesting that the early Carlock families may have originated in the South in the early 1800s.

Carlock's can also be found scattered throughout the United States, although the highest concentrations tend to be in the South and Midwest. There are a few Carlock's on both coasts as well, but their numbers are lower. The largest clusters of Carlock's outside of the US can be found in the UK and Canada, as well as a few in Australia.

Given its history, it's not surprising that the Carlock name tends to be heavily concentrated in the United States and particularly in the South. The family appears to have originated in the southern states, and it continues to thrive in them today. With an estimated 10,000 Carlock's currently living in the US, it looks like the name will continue to be an integral part of the American South for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Carlock

The surname Carlock is derived from the Irish name "Ó Ceardha". The Anglicized form of this spelling is often shortened to the more familiar Carlock. It is also sometimes found spelled as Carrick, Carrok, Karlock, Kerlock, Kirlock and others.

The surname is derived from the Irish rates word “ceard”, meaning “craftsman”, so the original bearer of this surname was likely a skilled craftsman. It is recorded in ancient manuscripts as past of a family of hereditary craftworkers, specializing in metalworking.

The first mention of the surname dates back to 1260, when the first recorded bearer of the surname was Aghor Carrig, mentioned in an ancient manuscript.

In Scotland, the surname is found recorded in various spellings, including Carlock, Carrick, Carrok, Kerlock and Kirlock, while in Ireland it is recorded as Ó Ceardha.

Other variants of the Carlock surname include Cardle, Cardell, Cardwell, Carle and Carlisle.

Surnames of similar origin include O'Ciardha, Carraghty, Corraghty, Cardty and Kernaghta. All these surnames are derived from the Irish word “ceard”, meaning “craftsman”, and likely all refer to the same ancestral line of skilled metalworkers.

Famous people with the name Carlock

• Tina Fey: American comedian, actress, writer and producer who serves as the head writer for the TV series 30 Rock, and is the creator of the TV comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
• Don Carlock: Canadian actor who was a series regular on the television series Robson Arms and starred in many films and TV shows as well as having recurring roles on Arrow and Supernatural.
• Dean Carlock: American lawyer and immediate past president of the American College of Trial Lawyers
• Will Carlock: Professional American soccer player who currently plays for Orange County Soccer Club in the United Soccer League.
• Caroline Carlock: Canadian film and television artist, known for her work on Sanctuary, Supernatural, and Stargate Atlantis.
• Matthew Carlock: Works in the music industry and has had his music featured in movies, commercials, and television networks.
• Robert Carlock: American television writer and producer who is well known for his work on the NBC series 30 Rock and currently serves as the showrunner of the Netflix Comedy-Drama series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
• Bob Carlock: American writer and producer for films, television and stage, known best for his Emmy-winning work on the show 30 Rock.
• Tony Carlock: Veteran of the Vietnam War and convicted of first-degree murder in 1971 for the shooting of a police officer.
• Brett Carlock: Singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.

Other surnames

Carlo