Show ContentsEflyke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Eflyke

What does the name Eflyke mean?

It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Eflyke. It 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 Eflyke family

The surname Eflyke 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 Eflyke family

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

Eflyke Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Eflyke has been spelled Affleck, Athlyk, Athinkel, Auchlek, Athlek, Achleck, Achinfleck, Afleck, Authinlek and many more.

Early Notables of the Eflyke family

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

Migration of the Eflyke family

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both 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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