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

Willock, 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 Willock surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willock in America

Willock is the 39004th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willock surname appeared 565 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Willock.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willock 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 Willock

The surname Willock can be traced back to its origins in Scotland and Northern England, likely emerging in the medieval period. Derived from the Old English elements "wil" meaning desire or will, and the diminutive suffix "loc," it likely denoted someone with a strong will or a notable personality trait. Over time, its spelling evolved in various records, reflecting the linguistic changes of the regions it inhabited.

The earliest forms of the surname appear in medieval manuscripts and legal documents. One of the earliest known instances of the name occurs in a 12th-century Scottish charter, mentioning a Walter Willoc, a landowner in the region of Lothian. It is important to note that the name's spelling has fluctuated, with variations such as Willoc, Wilock, and Wyllock appearing in different historical texts.

In England, the name is documented in the 13th-century Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, where a John Willoc is recorded as a juror in 1249. This period in history saw significant documentation of surnames due to legal and tax purposes, helping solidify the presence of the name in the northern counties of England.

A notable historical figure bearing this surname is James Willock, a Scottish cleric born in 1500 who played a role in the Reformation. His contributions to religious transformation in Scotland during the early 16th century highlight the surname's long-standing association with the region and its history.

Moving forward in time, Andrew Willock, born in 1675, served as a shipwright in Newcastle upon Tyne, reflecting the surname's presence in northeastern England and its link to maritime trades. His work contributed to the expansion of England's naval capabilities during a period of intense shipbuilding activity.

In the 18th century, Elizabeth Willock, born in 1745, gained fame as a skilled lacemaker in Nottingham, a city renowned for its lace industry. Her expertise and craftsmanship were highly regarded, signifying the surname's association with significant trades and industries of the period.

Closing the historical examples with the 19th century, George Willock, born in 1812, emerged as a prominent figure in the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution. Operating in Manchester, his innovations in weaving technology marked a crucial point in the advancement of industrial manufacturing in England.

Through these historical references, it is apparent that the surname Willock has roots deeply embedded in the medieval periods of Scotland and England. Its evolution through various trades and historical events highlights a rich and diverse heritage associated with the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willock

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

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 Willock 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 Willock 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 Willock was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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