Show ContentsMatlock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Matlock family

The surname Matlock was first found in Derbyshire, at Matlock, a parish, in the union of Bakewell, hundred of Wirksworth. "This place, which was formerly called Mesterford or Metesford, is equally celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, and the purity of its medicinal springs, and consists at present of the village and the baths, nearly a mile and a half distant from each other. The waters were first applied to medicinal uses about the end of the seventeenth century." 1

Another source claims the early spellings of the place name differently as in Meslach 2 which was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 and later as Matlac in 1196. In this case, the place name literally meant "oak-tree where meetings are held," from the Old English "maethel" + "ac." 3

Early History of the Matlock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matlock research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Matlock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matlock Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Martlock, Matlock, Matlack, Marlott and others.

Early Notables of the Matlock family

More information is included under the topic Early Matlock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matlock Ranking

In the United States, the name Matlock is the 2,268th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 4


Matlock migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Matlock Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Matlock, who arrived in New Jersey in 1675 5
Matlock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Isobell Matlock, who arrived in New York in 1775
  • Isobell Matlock, aged 18, who landed in New York in 1775 5
Matlock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Clarence Matlock, aged 0, who arrived in America, in 1894
  • William Matlock, aged 32, who arrived in America, in 1894
  • David T. Matlock, aged 39, who arrived in America, in 1896
  • Mrs. W. H. Matlock, aged 38, who arrived in America, in 1896
Matlock Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Matlock, who arrived in America, in 1906
  • Arthur T. Matlock, aged 23, who arrived in America from Leicester, Eng., in 1907
  • Paul Matlock, aged 30, who arrived in America, in 1907
  • Edith Anne Matlock, aged 24, who arrived in America from Leicister, Eng., in 1907
  • Florence N. Matlock, aged 38, who arrived in America, in 1908
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Matlock (post 1700) +

  • Jimmy Matlock (b. 1959), American politician, Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
  • Leroy Matlock (1907-1968), American baseball pitcher in the Negro Leagues who played from 1929 to 1938
  • Rebecca Burrum Matlock (b. 1928), born Rebecca Inez Burrum, American photographer and the wife of former U.S. Ambassador Jack F. Matlock, Jr
  • Victoria Matlock (b. 1978), American musical theatre actress
  • Julian Clifton "Matty" Matlock (1907-1978), American Dixieland jazz clarinettist, saxophonist and arranger
  • Jack Foust Matlock Jr. (b. 1929), former American ambassador, career Foreign Service Officer, a teacher, an historian
  • Glen Matlock (b. 1956), English bass guitarist
  • Robert "Bob" Matlock (b. 1918), Australian rules footballer


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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