Show ContentsEfflek History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Efflek

What does the name Efflek mean?

The chronicles of the Efflek family show that the name was first used in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name for a person 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 Efflek family

The surname Efflek 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 Efflek family

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

Efflek Spelling Variations

The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. Efflek has been spelled Affleck, Athlyk, Athinkel, Auchlek, Athlek, Achleck, Achinfleck, Afleck, Authinlek and many more.

Early Notables of the Efflek family

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

Migration of the Efflek family

The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. 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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