Affleck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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An ancient Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Affleck. They 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 Affleck family

The surname Affleck 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 Affleck family

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

Affleck Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Affleck has been spelled Affleck, Athlyk, Athinkel, Auchlek, Athlek, Achleck, Achinfleck, Afleck, Authinlek and many more.

Early Notables of the Affleck family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

These Angus Afflecks were hereditary armour bearers to the earls of Crawford...

Affleck migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Affleck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Affleck, who settled in Frederick County, Maryland in 1787

Affleck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Affleck, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1832 3
George, John, and Joseph Affleck, all, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1872 and 1880

Affleck migration to Australia +

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

Affleck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Affleck, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1862 4

Affleck 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:

Affleck Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Andrew Affleck, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 5
Mrs. Affleck, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow with 4 children aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 5

Affleck migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 6

Affleck Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Andrew Affleck who settled in Barbados in 1678

Contemporary Notables of the name Affleck (post 1700) +

Ben Affleck (b. 1972), Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, writer, and producer 7
Neil Affleck, American actor, animator and director
Casey Affleck (b. 1975), American actor and film director
George Affleck (b. 1888), Scottish footballer
David Roy Affleck (1912-1984), Scottish professional footballer
Philip Affleck (1726-1799), British admiral, younger brother of the last Edmund Affleck
Admiral Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-1788), 1st Baronet, a British naval officer of considerable repute, fifth son of Mr. Gilbert Affleck, of Dalham Hall, Suffolk 8
Raymond Affleck (1922-1989), Canadian architect
Paul Affleck (b. 1966), Welsh professional golfer
Gilbert Affleck (1684-1764), British politician
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)