Show ContentsAwchlek History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Awchlek is an ancient Scottish name that was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is a name for someone who lived in the barony of Auchinleck in Ayrshire or from Affleck in Angus. 1

"Richard of Auchinlec was juror on an inquest held in 1263 before the sheriff of Lanark. Nicholas of Haghenlek mentioned in 1292 is probably Nicol de Achithelege of the county of Are who rendered homage in 1296. Patrick de Aghleke of Lanarkshire who also rendered homage in 1296 appears again as Patrick de Achenlek, juror on inquest at Lanark in 1303, and is probably the Patrick de Auuynlec who witnessed resignation of the lands of Grenryg c. 1311." 2

Early Origins of the Awchlek family

The surname Awchlek was first found in Ayrshire and Angus. "In 1370 the lands of 'le Greynryg et de le Tathys' were resigned to Kelso Abbey by Adam de Aghynlek, Thomas of Awqwhynleke in 1436 witnessed a charter of lands in Peeblesshire, Adam Auchinlek had a safe conduct to travel in England in 1451, Andrew Athelek and James Athelek of Scotland petitioned for safe conducts in 1464, and in 1486 William Achlek appears as a friar preacher in Aberdeen." 2

Early History of the Awchlek family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Awchlek research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1306, 1311, 1464 and 1499 are included under the topic Early Awchlek History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Awchlek Spelling Variations

Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of spelling variations in Scottish names. Awchlek has been spelled Affleck, Athlyk, Athinkel, Auchlek, Athlek, Achleck, Achinfleck, Afleck, Authinlek and many more.

Early Notables of the Awchlek family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Awchlek Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Awchlek family

In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them: Andrew Affleck who settled in Barbados in 1678; Thomas Affleck settled in Frederick County, Maryland in 1787; George, John, and Joseph Affleck, all settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1872 and 1880.



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. 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)


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