Surname Lockwood - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling Lockwood: A Fascinating Exploration of Surname Origins with iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a captivating journey with iGENEA DNA analysis, I unravel the origins and history of my surname, 'Lockwood'. The analysis was an illuminating revelation from the Anglo-Saxon roots to the international migrations of my forefathers, intertwining science with history.

O. Lockwood

Lockwood: What does the surname Lockwood mean?

The surname Lockwood is of English origin and is derived from a place name. It has two component parts: "Lock", which is believed to come from the Old English word "loca" meaning lock or fastening, and "wood", from the Old English "wudu". Thus, it generally means "enclosed wood" or "lock of the woods".

Historically, it was used as an identifier for individuals coming from any of the locations named Lockwood in England. For example, one such area is in West Yorkshire, near Huddersfield. The surname signified someone who either lived near a locked (enclosed) woodland, or possibly worked there. In medieval times, woods were often enclosed for private hunting reserves, so the name might have been given to someone who lived or worked near one of these.

As with many surnames that derive from place names, the spread of the name occurred as families moved from their original homelands and adopted their old village name as a means of identification. Today, the surname Lockwood can be found around the world due to migration and is not necessarily an indicator of one’s English ancestry.

Lockwood: Where does the name Lockwood come from?

The surname Lockwood is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name. There are several locations in England named Lockwood, usually referring to a forested area that was locked or enclosed, from the Old English words "loc" (lock, fastening) and "wudu" (wood). It was initially used to identify someone who lived near such an area.

The name has been traced back to West Yorkshire, in the northern region of England, where there is a township named Lockwood in the parish of Almondbury. In the 1086 Domesday Book, it was recorded as Lochewood.

Today, the surname Lockwood is found most frequently in the United States, England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand according to current surname distribution data. In the United States, it is most common in the states of California, New York, and Florida. Despite its historical roots in Yorkshire, the name is now evenly spread throughout different regions of England.

Variations of the surname Lockwood

The surname Lockwood is of English origin, predominantly derived from the villages named Lockwood in West Yorkshire. It refers to a person who resided near a forest, specifically an enclosed one. Variations of the surname may occur based on regional dialects, translations, and anglicization.

Different spellings of Lockwood can include Lockwode, Lakewood, Langwode, Lokehood, Lokehode, or Lokevede. There may also be variations in the spelling based on changes made by family members throughout generations. Thus, surnames like Luckwood, Lickwood, or Leckwood could also possibly be variants of Lockwood.

The surname Lockwood may also have similar surnames from the same origin or with the identical meaning. These could possibly include Forest, Woodlock, Wood, Lock, Underwood, Greenwood, Lockley, or Atwood.

Remember that surname variants may not always indicate relationship or shared ancestry, as names can change or be altered for various reasons throughout history, such as immigration or anglicization. To conclusively determine origin and relationship, genealogical or DNA testing would be needed.

Famous people with the name Lockwood

• Herbert Lockwood: Professional drummer, known for his work with the band The Allman Brothers.
• L. Frank Lockwood: Legislator and editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
• Dr. Harrison Lockwood: US Navy officer, commander of the USS Constitution during the Spanish-American War.
• Peter Lockwood: Professional baseball player, who played three seasons for the Chicago White Sox from 1964-1967.
• Jeffrey Lockwood: Professor of Natural Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wyoming.
• Will Lockwood: Professional hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks.
• Charles Lockwood: Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (2010-2014).
• Alfred Lockwood: British parliamentarian, Member of Parliament (MP) for the City of Durham from 1906-1918.
• Ed Lockwood: Major League Baseball player, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1914-1915.
• Florence Lockwood: Actress who starred in various silent films in the early 1900s.
• Kimberly Lockwood: Award-winning journalist and author.
• Joshua Lockwood: Emmy-award winning film composer for his work on the television series, The West Wing.
• John Lockwood: English architect noted for designing and building numerous country homes.
• Tucker Lockwood: Professional golf caddie who caddied for Phil Mickelson during the Masters in 2014.
• William K. Lockwood: American educator and the 15th president of Williams College (1951-1967).

Other surnames

LockwoodeLockwoods