Show ContentsAphleck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Aphleck

What does the name Aphleck mean?

Among the the peoples of ancient Scotland, the first to use the name Aphleck were the Strathclyde-Britons. Aphleck was 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 Aphleck family

The surname Aphleck 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 Aphleck family

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

Aphleck Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Aphleck has been spelled Affleck, Athlyk, Athinkel, Auchlek, Athlek, Achleck, Achinfleck, Afleck, Authinlek and many more.

Early Notables of the Aphleck family

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

Migration of the Aphleck family

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. 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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