Loach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Scotland
England

Early Origins of the Loach family

The surname Loach 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 Loach family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Loach 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 Loach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Loach Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Loach family

Notable amongst the family at this time was George Lock, Bishop of Glasgow; Matthew Locke (ca. 1621-1677), an English Baroque composer and music theorist; and John Locke (1632-1704), known as the...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Loach Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Loach migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Loach Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Loach, who settled in Virginia in 1667

Loach Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Loach, who arrived in Maryland in 1732
Henry Loach, who settled in America in 1735

Loach Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Loach, who settled in Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania in 1891
Francis James Loach, who settled in Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania in 1893

Contemporary Notables of the name Loach (post 1700) +

Kenneth Loach (b. 1936), English filmmaker

The Loach 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.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.