Surname Locke - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Locke: An iGENEA DNA Test Journey into My Ancestral Past
As an individual with the surname Locke, taking the iGENEA DNA test was a personal voyage of self-exploration, interlacing anticipation and wonder. The discovery of my deep-rooted lineage was not just educational but stirred a profound sense of pride, thereby evoking a newfound reverence and connection to my inherited surname.
M. Locke
read moreLocke: What does the surname Locke mean?
The surname Locke is of English origin and has multiple potential meanings. The primary interpretation suggests that the surname derives from Old English “loc” or Middle English “loke”, which translates to "lock". It might have been given to a person who lived near a lock or enclosure. Alternatively, it could refer to individuals who were locksmiths as a profession. Another possibility is that it's associated with the term “lock” of hair, indicating that the original bearer of this surname might have had distinctive or noticeably thick hair. Furthermore, it was also often used as a nickname for an individual who was crafty or cunning, deriving from the Old Norse term “loki” meaning deceitful. As with many ancient surnames, the definitive origin might be unclear due to the variety of potential origins. Regardless, this surname's history dates back to early times in Britain and has spread to other parts of the English-speaking world over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisLocke: Where does the name Locke come from?
The surname Locke is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was initially used as a nickname for a person who was curly-haired or mischievous. It has two primary sources, one from the Old English pre 7th Century "locc", meaning "lock of hair", and the other from "loc", meaning "enclosure". The name may have been bestowed upon the original bearer as a physical characteristic or an occupational term if they were a lock-keeper.
Locke spread throughout many English-speaking countries with the migration of its bearers. It is most common today in the United States, with a significant number of bearers in the United Kingdom and Australia as well. The 1881 UK census revealed that Dorset had the highest number of people with the surname Locke. It is also fairly common in Scotland and Cornwall.
Several notable personalities bear the surname Locke. These include philosopher John Locke, and Alain LeRoy Locke, the father of the Harlem Renaissance in the United States. Despite its English origin, individuals and families with the surname Locke can now be found in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Locke
The surname Locke is of English origin. It derives from the old English pre 7th Century word "loca", meaning lock or fastening. In addition to its direct derivations, it has also been associated with the Norman personal name "Loke". Many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have emerged over time due to transliteration between different languages, regional dialects, and even simple misspellings.
The common variants and alternate spellings include: Lock, Lok, Loke, Luck, Luke, and Leck. Some versions of the surname could also feature an additional 'e' at the end, such as Locke or Lockee.
Related surnames emerging from the same root include Lockhart, Lockwood, and Lockman, where the suffixes 'hart', 'wood' and 'man' represent different occupations or personal characteristics.
It's also worth noting that the surname Locke might have been assigned to individuals in a community known for being a locksmith, a lock-keeper, or someone living by a lock.
Over the centuries, these various forms have been used interchangeably, making the exact lineage difficult to trace. The surname Locke and its numerous variations can be found in many countries globally, with a particularly strong presence in English-speaking territories.
Famous people with the name Locke
- John Locke (1632-1704): John Locke was an English philosopher and physician often credited as one of the fathers of modern liberalism. He wrote the influential works Two Treatises of Government in 1690, and A Letter Concerning Toleration in 1689.
- Alain Locke (1885-1954): Alain Locke was a groundbreaking African American philosopher, author, educator, and civil rights leader. He is best known for his 1923 book The New Negro: An Interpretation, which became a manifesto of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Richard Locke (1795-1847): Richard Locke was an English journalist, naturalist and geologist. He wrote several papers on the stratigraphic geology of Britain as well as a guidebook on the geography of the Lake District.
- Katherine Locke (1909-1985): Katherine Locke was an American archaeologist and anthropologist who was an influential figure in the fields of cultural resource management and historic preservation.
- Lisa Locke (1961-): Lisa Locke is an American actress who has had roles on soap operas such as All My Children, One Life to Live and Guiding Light.
- Rob Locke (1968-): Rob Locke is a British voice actor and radio presenter best known for his work in the Parsley the Lion series of children’s animated shorts, and his role as the narrator in the horror series Resident Evil.
- David Locke (1971-): David Locke is an American sportscaster and the current television play-by-play announcer for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association.
- Ryan Locke (1981-): Ryan Locke is an American actor who has had roles in films such as Entourage and Superbad. He is also notable for voicing the character of Gumball Watterson in the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball.