Show ContentsLockwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient history of the Lockwood name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the place called Lockwood that was in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Lockwood is a habitation name that was originally derived from the Old English words loca and wudu, meaning enclosure and wood. 1 Therefore the original bearers of the surname lived in or near a forest in Yorkshire.

Early Origins of the Lockwood family

The surname Lockwood was first found in West Yorkshire at Lockwood, a chapelry, in the parish of Almondbury. The village is a rural suburb to the town of Huddersfield and is located in the vale of the river Holme. 2

One reference claims Lockwood was originally called North Crosland and part of the Crosland family estate but was taken over by the Lockwood family after a series of disputes between the both families.

However, this claim is rather dubious and should be questioned as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus de Lokewod and Thomas de Lockewod holding lands at that time. 3 Lockwood is also a civil parish in the unitary authority of Redcar & Cleveland in North Yorkshire.

"The Lockwoods were well established in Ecclesfield parish [of South Yorkshire] during the reign of Elizabeth. Lincolnshire is another home of the name. Lockwood is a parish near Huddersfield [West Yorkshire]."

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. Henry de Locwode was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1294. Later, Adam de Lokwode was found in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1352 and Richard Lokwood was in the the rolls for Kent in 1455. 4

There is a scant entry for the family in Scotland, that of "John Locwode, witness in Edinburgh, 1426." 5

Early History of the Lockwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lockwood research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lockwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lockwood Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Lockwood include Lockwood, Lockward and others.

Early Notables of the Lockwood family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Lockwood of Yorkshire

Lockwood World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lockwood is the 1,567th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Lockwood is ranked the 944th most popular surname with an estimated 4,195 people with that name. 7 And in the United Kingdom, the name Lockwood is the 775th popular surname with an estimated 8,711 people with that name. 8


United States Lockwood migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Lockwood or a variant listed above:

Lockwood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edmund Lockwood of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
  • Robert Lockwood, of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Watertown. 9
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Lockwood of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
  • Miss Lockwood of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
  • Anthony Lockwood, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lockwood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Susannah Lockwood, who landed in Virginia in 1713 9
  • Joshua Lockwood, who arrived in America in 1794 9
Lockwood Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Lockwood, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 9
  • J R Lockwood, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 9
  • S Lockwood, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 9
  • J Lockwood, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 9
  • J D Lockwood, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Lockwood migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lockwood Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Amos Lockwood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 374 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Mrs. Mary Lockwood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 534 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Lockwood U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 487 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Miss Phebe Lockwood U.E. (b. 1782), aged 1 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 39 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • Miss Sarah Lockwood U.E. (b. 1772), aged 11 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 588 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Lockwood migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lockwood Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard Lockwood, British Convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
  • Mr. Richard Lockwood, (b. 1814), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for fraud, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1894 13
  • Miss Elizabeth Lockwood, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 14th July 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Richard Lockwood, (b. 1793), aged 40, English coach man who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. John Lockwood, English convict who was convicted in North Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 3rd November 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Lockwood 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:

Lockwood Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Lockwood, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Daniel Lockwood, aged 27, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • John Lockwood, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • James Lockwood, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
  • Mr. Daniel Lockwood, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastfield" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th December 1857 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lockwood (post 1700) +

  • Henry Whilden Lockwood (1891-1944), American politician, 55th Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina (1938-1944)
  • James Lockwood (1683-1769), American politician, Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk (1721-1726)
  • James Booth Lockwood (1852-1884), American Arctic explorer; he died on the ill-fated Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
  • Brigadier-General Benjamin Curtis Jr. Lockwood (1888-1980), American Assistant Chief of Staff (G-2), 4th Army (1946-1947) 18
  • Normand Lockwood (1906-2002), award-winning American composer
  • Gary Lockwood (b. 1937), American actor perhaps best known for his iconic 1968 role as the astronaut Dr. Frank Poole in 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Annea Lockwood (b. 1939), New Zealand born American composer
  • James Lockwood, English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Featherstone Rovers
  • Johnny Lockwood (1920-2013), English-born actor of theatre, television and film
  • Margaret Lockwood CBE (1916-1990), English actress, notable for her performance in the 1945 Gainsborough movie, The Wicked Lady
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Royal Oak
  • William Lockwood (d. 1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 19
RMS Lusitania
  • Miss Lily Lockwood, (née Lillian), American 3rd Class passenger from Harrison, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 20
  • Master Clifford Lockwood, American 3rd Class passenger from Harrison, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 20
  • Mrs. Florence Lockwood, American 3rd Class passenger from Harrison, New Jersey, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 20


Suggested Readings for the name Lockwood +

  • Some Descendants of Edmund Lockwood (1594-1635) of Cambridge, Massachusetts by Harriet Woodbury Hodge.
  • Descendants of Phebe Walter & Isaak Lockwood by Nancy Hawlick Stein.

  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fanny
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 2) Benjamin Lockwood. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Lockwood/Benjamin_Curtis_Jr./USA.html
  19. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  20. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


Houseofnames.com on Facebook