Show ContentsLocklin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Locklin is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a person who was a locksmith. 1 Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright.

"It is interesting to notice that while Lockyer has predominated over Locksmith in our personal nomenclature, yet locksmith has nearly ousted lockyer as an occupative term." 2

Early Origins of the Locklin family

The surname Locklin was first found in Somerset, where Kirby's Quest listed some of the first entries for the family: Nicholas le Lokyere; and Lucas le Lokier as both residing there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 3 And this tradition continued through the years as the Register of the University of Oxford lists William Lokier from Somerset in 1604. 2

London had early records for the family too as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Henry le Lockier there at that time. 4

Early History of the Locklin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Locklin research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1294, 1611, 1685, 1698 and 1771 are included under the topic Early Locklin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Locklin Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Locklin are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Locklin include Lockyer, Lockyers, Lockier, Lokier, Locker, Lockweer and many more.

Early Notables of the Locklin family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Locklin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Locklin Ranking

In the United States, the name Locklin is the 14,002nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5


United States Locklin migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Locklin or a variant listed above:

Locklin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • H.H. Locklin, aged 23, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Augusta Victoria" from Southampton, England 6
  • John Locklin, aged 30, originally from New York, arrived in New York in 1898 aboard the ship "Buenos Ayrean" from Glasgow, Scotland 6
Locklin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Edwin Locklin, aged 50, originally from Oldham, England, arrived in New York City, New York, New york in 1917 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
  • Edward Locklin, aged 22, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Everglades" from Matanzas, Cuba 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Locklin (post 1700) +

  • Gerald Locklin (1941-2021), American poet who was a Professor Emeritus of English at California State University, Long Beach and the poetry editor of Chiron Review
  • Loryn Locklin (b. 1968), American actress
  • Kerry Barth Locklin (b. 1959), American CFL football defensive line coach for the Toronto Argonauts, son of Billy Ray Locklin
  • Stuart Carlton "Stu" Locklin (1928-2016), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians in 1955 and 1956 seasons
  • Billy Ray Locklin (b. 1936), former American CFL football defensive lineman
  • Lawrence Hankins "Hank" Locklin (1918-2009), American country music singer-songwriter, member of the Grand Ole Opry for nearly 50 years
  • Lawrence Wheeler Locklin (b. 1867), American Democratic Party politician, Merchant; Delegate to Alabama State Constitutional Convention, 1901; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1912 7
  • Henry N. Locklin, American Republican politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives Twenty-Fourth Suffolk District, 1905 7
  • Victoria "Vicky" Locklin, British presenter and voice artist

HMS Hood
  • Mr. James Locklin (b. 1907), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 8
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Thomas Locklin, British Sergeant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 9


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  8. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  9. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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