Locke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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Early Origins of the Locke family

The surname Locke was first found in Peeblesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd nam Pùballan), former county in South-central Scotland, in the present day Scottish Borders Council Area. They were from the locality known as Portmoore Loch in the parish of Eddleston in Peeblesshire. Literally, the name means "a place where rivers meet with a partial obstruction from a wooden dam. " 1

Later they acquired the lands of Gillemorestun in 1189. John Loch of Roxburghshire represented his Clan when he rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland. Malise Lock was taken prisoner at Dunbar Castle in the same year. 2

Further to the south, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Geoffrey Loc, or Lock in Suffolk; and William Lock in Oxfordshire. 3 Kirby's Quest lists John Loke in Somerset, 1 Edward III. (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 4

Early History of the Locke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Locke research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1464, 1474, 1504, 1510, 1621, 1632, 1677, 1704 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Locke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Locke Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Loch, Lock, Locke, Lochlair, Locklair and others.

Early Notables of the Locke family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Locke Ranking

In the United States, the name Locke is the 1,219th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 5 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Locke is ranked the 179th most popular surname with an estimated 223 people with that name. 6


Locke migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Locke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Locke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Locke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Locke migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Locke Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Locke migration to Australia +

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

Locke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Locke 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:

Locke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Locke (post 1700) +


The Locke 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: Assiduitate, non desdia
Motto Translation: By assiduity, not by sloth.


Suggested Readings for the name Locke +
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