NameCensus.

UK surname

Willock

A surname derived from a place name, possibly related to the Old English words 'wil' meaning willow and 'loh' meaning a low-lying area.

In the 1881 census there were 405 people recorded with the Willock surname, ranking it #7,903 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 515, ranked #9,793, down from #7,903 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Govan Combination and Shiffnal. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hinckley and Bosworth, Hackney and Slough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Willock is 556 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.2%.

1881 census count

405

Ranked #7,903

Modern count

515

2016, ranked #9,793

Peak year

2010

556 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Willock had 405 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,903 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 515 in 2016, ranked #9,793.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 433 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Willock surname distribution map

The map shows where the Willock surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Willock surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Willock over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 324 #7,179
1861 historical 408 #6,298
1881 historical 405 #7,903
1891 historical 433 #8,301
1901 historical 429 #9,018
1911 historical 316 #11,031
1997 modern 524 #8,989
1998 modern 550 #8,937
1999 modern 552 #8,959
2000 modern 531 #9,194
2001 modern 514 #9,267
2002 modern 525 #9,322
2003 modern 521 #9,217
2004 modern 504 #9,468
2005 modern 512 #9,286
2006 modern 514 #9,291
2007 modern 527 #9,193
2008 modern 519 #9,372
2009 modern 534 #9,377
2010 modern 556 #9,291
2011 modern 538 #9,444
2012 modern 509 #9,734
2013 modern 510 #9,871
2014 modern 517 #9,846
2015 modern 518 #9,761
2016 modern 515 #9,793

Geography

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Where Willocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Govan Combination, Shiffnal, Riccarton and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hinckley and Bosworth, Hackney, Slough, Cheshire East and Blaby. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Shiffnal Shropshire
4 Riccarton Ayr
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hinckley and Bosworth 011 Hinckley and Bosworth
2 Hackney 025 Hackney
3 Slough 009 Slough
4 Cheshire East 020 Cheshire East
5 Blaby 012 Blaby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Willock

These lists show first names that appear often with the Willock surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Willock

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Willock, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Willock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Willock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Willock is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Willock is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Willock falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Willock is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Willock, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Willock

The surname Willock can be traced back to its origins in Scotland and Northern England, likely emerging in the medieval period. Derived from the Old English elements "wil" meaning desire or will, and the diminutive suffix "loc," it likely denoted someone with a strong will or a notable personality trait. Over time, its spelling evolved in various records, reflecting the linguistic changes of the regions it inhabited.

The earliest forms of the surname appear in medieval manuscripts and legal documents. One of the earliest known instances of the name occurs in a 12th-century Scottish charter, mentioning a Walter Willoc, a landowner in the region of Lothian. It is important to note that the name's spelling has fluctuated, with variations such as Willoc, Wilock, and Wyllock appearing in different historical texts.

In England, the name is documented in the 13th-century Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, where a John Willoc is recorded as a juror in 1249. This period in history saw significant documentation of surnames due to legal and tax purposes, helping solidify the presence of the name in the northern counties of England.

A notable historical figure bearing this surname is James Willock, a Scottish cleric born in 1500 who played a role in the Reformation. His contributions to religious transformation in Scotland during the early 16th century highlight the surname's long-standing association with the region and its history.

Moving forward in time, Andrew Willock, born in 1675, served as a shipwright in Newcastle upon Tyne, reflecting the surname's presence in northeastern England and its link to maritime trades. His work contributed to the expansion of England's naval capabilities during a period of intense shipbuilding activity.

In the 18th century, Elizabeth Willock, born in 1745, gained fame as a skilled lacemaker in Nottingham, a city renowned for its lace industry. Her expertise and craftsmanship were highly regarded, signifying the surname's association with significant trades and industries of the period.

Closing the historical examples with the 19th century, George Willock, born in 1812, emerged as a prominent figure in the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution. Operating in Manchester, his innovations in weaving technology marked a crucial point in the advancement of industrial manufacturing in England.

Through these historical references, it is apparent that the surname Willock has roots deeply embedded in the medieval periods of Scotland and England. Its evolution through various trades and historical events highlights a rich and diverse heritage associated with the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Willock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Willock surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Ayrshire leads with 80 Willocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.33x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 80 27.33x
Lanarkshire 53 4.19x
Lancashire 47 1.01x
Warwickshire 42 4.26x
Shropshire 23 6.81x
Staffordshire 18 1.36x
Surrey 14 0.73x
Angus 12 3.31x
Middlesex 12 0.31x
Kent 11 0.82x
Renfrewshire 9 2.97x
Gloucestershire 8 1.04x
Yorkshire 8 0.21x
Fife 7 3.02x
Kincardineshire 7 14.70x
Sussex 7 1.06x
Aberdeenshire 6 1.66x
Buteshire 5 21.10x
Cheshire 5 0.58x
Devon 4 0.49x
Somerset 4 0.64x
Westmorland 4 4.65x
Durham 3 0.26x
Cumberland 2 0.59x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.38x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.61x
Worcestershire 2 0.39x
Berkshire 1 0.34x
Cornwall 1 0.23x
Denbighshire 1 0.68x
Hampshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilmarnock in Ayrshire leads with 33 Willocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.72x.

Place Total Index
Kilmarnock 33 94.72x
Aston 21 7.73x
Govan 21 6.71x
Birmingham 19 5.78x
Ardrossan 17 167.82x
Shifnal 13 141.77x
Barony 12 3.75x
Glasgow 12 5.34x
Lancaster 12 43.45x
Riccarton 10 226.24x
Ayr 8 57.89x
Westbury On Severn East 8 46.14x
Birtle Cum Bamford 7 231.02x
Dundee 7 5.17x
Fordoun 7 262.17x
Forgan 7 157.66x
Gillingham 7 25.44x
Paisley High Church 7 29.00x
Sheriff Hales 7 518.52x
St Marylebone London 7 3.35x
Aberdeen Old Machar 6 7.93x
Accrington 6 14.22x
Brighton 6 4.51x
Galston 6 74.91x
Great Barr 6 397.35x
Hamilton 6 17.01x
Bollin Fee 5 130.55x
Cumbrae 5 200.80x
Draycott In Clay 5 833.33x
Liff Benvie 5 9.09x
Wardleworth 5 18.85x
Wolstanton Knutton 5 62.03x
Bradford 4 4.26x
Godalming 4 33.33x
Irvine 4 49.20x
Kendal 4 25.41x
Liverpool 4 1.42x
Radstock 4 96.62x
Southwark St Saviour 4 19.90x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 2.96x
Sidmouth 3 64.38x
Thornley 3 71.26x
West Derby 3 2.21x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 5.43x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.94x
Islington London 2 0.53x
Kirkoswald 2 253.16x
Newington 2 1.38x
Oldbury 2 7.96x
Salterforth 2 384.62x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.54x
Tenby St Mary In 2 31.60x
Tong 2 294.12x
Tonge With Haulgh 2 22.12x
Abbey 1 2.16x
Basford 1 4.12x
Bermondsey 1 0.86x
Blatchinworth 1 9.46x
Brewood 1 26.25x
Christ Church Newgate 1 54.95x
Edgbaston 1 3.27x
Gorbals 1 13.32x
Holy Trinity 1 1.07x
Kilbirnie 1 14.22x
Lambeth 1 0.29x
Leamington Priors 1 4.12x
Lee 1 5.16x
Leeds 1 0.46x
Manchester 1 0.48x
Middle Greenock 1 12.09x
Mile End Old Town 1 1.62x
Newark Upon Trent 1 5.28x
Over Darwen 1 2.70x
St George Hanover 1 1.96x
Stewarton 1 17.27x
Stockton 1 138.89x
Tillington 1 84.03x
Truro St Mary 1 26.88x
West Bromwich 1 1.32x
Wolborough 1 9.72x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Willock surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Martha 7
Eliza 6
Ann 5
Sarah 5
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Ellen 4
Margaret 4
Fanny 3
Jane 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Lucy 2
Susannah 2
Abigail 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Betsey 1
David 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz.Ann 1
Esther 1
Francis 1
Hannah 1
Hariott 1
Isabel 1
Isabella 1
Jannet 1
Kate 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Millotod 1
Polley 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Rossetta 1
Ruth 1
Shairann 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1
Susey 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Willock surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 14
George 11
James 8
Thomas 8
William 8
Richard 6
Henry 4
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Charles 3
Matthew 3
Albert 2
David 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Harvey 2
Noah 2
Rueben 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alfred 1
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Horatio 1
Ivan 1
Jas. 1
Jhonson 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Price 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Willock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Willock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 405 people were recorded with the Willock surname. That placed it at #7,903 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Willock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 515 in 2016. That gives Willock a modern rank of #9,793.

What does the Willock surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly related to the Old English words 'wil' meaning willow and 'loh' meaning a low-lying area.

What does the Willock map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Willock bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.