Lokett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Lokett family arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Lokett came from the given name Lockett. This name is patronymic in origin, in other words a surnames based on the first name of the original bearer's father. It means son of Lockett. Some historians have suggested that the name is a corruption of the name Lockhart, and is derived from the Old Norse Loki, meaning giant god, and hard, meaning strong, or that it derives from the Old French personal name Locard. However, Lockett is actually a diminutive form of the personal name Luke.

Early Origins of the Lokett family

The surname Lokett was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from very early times and were Lords of the manor of Clouterbrook, and were granted the lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. They were believed to have been related to the Earls of Chester.

Early History of the Lokett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lokett research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lokett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lokett Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Lockett, Locket, Lochett, Locquett and others.

Early Notables of the Lokett family

More information is included under the topic Early Lokett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lokett family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Lokett or a variant listed above: Richard Locket who settled in Baltimore Maryland in 1775; Charles Locket also settled there in the same year; J.M. Lockett arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1850.

The Lokett 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: Tenuimus
Motto Translation: We have held.