Find out how popular the last name Matlock is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Matlock.

Matlock, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Matlock surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matlock in America

Matlock is the 2861st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Matlock surname appeared 12,599 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Matlock.

We can also compare 2010 data for Matlock to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Matlock

The surname Matlock is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. Its earliest known roots can be traced to the place name Matlock, which refers to a town in Derbyshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words 'mæt' meaning 'meeting' and 'loca' meaning 'enclosed place', suggesting it was once a gathering place surrounded by natural boundaries.

Matlock first appeared in written records in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled 'Metелoc'. This comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror documented the town's population and resources, providing valuable insights into its early history.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Matlock was William de Matlock, who lived in the 13th century and was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1248. The Pipe Rolls were financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, indicating that William was likely a landowner or taxpayer in the region.

During the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Matlok, Matloke, and Mattelok, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography at the time. One notable bearer was John Matlok, who was recorded in the Cartulary of Burton Abbey in Staffordshire in 1389.

In the 16th century, the surname Matlock gained prominence with the rise of Sir John Matlock (1516-1588), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1573. He played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another influential figure was Sir John Matlock (1661-1720), a British naval officer who served as the Governor of Bermuda from 1701 to 1705. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve the island's defenses and infrastructure.

The surname Matlock also has connections to literary figures. One example is Mary Matlock (1684-1738), an English writer and poet whose works were published in various anthologies and magazines during the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, William Matlock (1802-1875) was a renowned American architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings, including the Old State House in Springfield, Illinois, and the Soldiers' Home in Hampton, Virginia.

While these are a few notable examples, the surname Matlock has been borne by many individuals throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matlock

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Matlock.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Matlock was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Matlock has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Matlock was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Matlock, please contact us.

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