Show ContentsFlook History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish surname Flook begins was originally the Gaelic MacTuile, Ó Maoltuile, or Mac Maoltuile. "tuile" means "flood," and the names Tully and Flood were at one time interchangeable in Ireland. 1

However, some of the Gaelic names that have become "flood" may have been mistranslations, and that contained the Gaelic "toile," meaning "toil," or "will." In Ulster, Floyd has sometimes been used as a spelling variant of Flood; however, Floyd is normally a cognate of the Welsh name Lloyd, derived from the word 'llwyd,' which means ‘grey.’

Early Origins of the Flook family

The surname Flook was first found in Connacht, where they could be found since ancient times, and were hereditary physicians to the O'Connors of Galway.

Early History of the Flook family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flook research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1572, 1574, 1589, 1592, 1593, 1603, 1620, 1637, 1641, 1648, 1649, 1660, 1675 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Flook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flook Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Flook revealed spelling variations, including Flood, Floyd, Floode, Floyde, Tully, MacTully,Talley, Tally and many more.

Early Notables of the Flook family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Thomas Tully (1620-1676), an English clergyman of Calvinist views. He was born in St. Mary's parish, Carlisle and was son of George Tully. "After the Restoration he was created D.D. on 9 Nov. 1660, and nominated one of the Royal Chaplains in Ordinary, and in April 1675 was appointed Dean of Ripon. " 2Edward Floyd, Floud or LLoyd (d. 1648?), was a Catholic barrister who became steward in Shropshire to Lord-Chancellor Ellesmere and the Earl of Suffolk. 2Henry Floyd (1563-1641), was an English Jesuit, elder brother of Father John Floyd, born in...
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flook Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Flook migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Flook Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Flook, aged 42, a cooper, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
  • Ann Flook, aged 43, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
  • Ann Flook, aged 19, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
  • Emily Flook, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
  • Louisa Flook, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Flook (post 1700) +

  • Maria Flook, American writer of fiction and non-fiction, Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston, winner of the 2007 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Award
  • John Gurley Flook (1839-1926), American businessman, farmer and politician, Member of the Oregon State Legislature
  • Chris Flook (b. 1973), Bermudan silver and bronze medalist swimmer
  • Adrian John Flook (b. 1963), British Conservative politician, Member of Parliament for Taunton (2001-2005)


The Flook Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vis unita fortior
Motto Translation: Strength united is the more powerful.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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