Surname Skirlock - Meaning and Origin
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Skirlock: What does the surname Skirlock mean?
The last name Skirlock is of obscure origin, with roots possibly in English, Scottish or Irish history. It might be a variant of Sherrill which is a locational surname that derives from various places named Cherrill or Sherrill in England. The places named Cherrill represent an old English personal name combined with "hyll", signifying "hill". In the context of Skirlock, the "lock" part might denote "lake". However, it's important to note that these meanings are purely speculative due to the lack of concrete historical or etymological evidences.
Yet another possibility is a derivation from the Old Norse personal name 'Skirli', a nickname for a chatterbox or garrulous person, but this is not substantiated. Much like many surnames, the true meaning and derivation of Skirlock might be lost over time. As with all surnames, the exact definitive history and meaning can be complex and hard to trace, particularly when there may have been alterations in the spelling and phonetics throughout the generations. This is also affected by the fact that there were often many different languages in play during the time when surnames became hereditary.
Order DNA origin analysisSkirlock: Where does the name Skirlock come from?
Skirlock is a surname of Scottish origin, which is thought to have derived from the Old English given name Sgurlaic, combining the elements sgur- (‘sharp, stiff’) and lac (‘play’).
Today, Skirlock is most common in the United Kingdom, with the majority of Skirlocks living in Scotland. According to Ancestry.com, the highest concentration of Skirlocks live in “Midlothian, Scotland, England, & Wales.” Outside of the UK, Skirlock is also common in Ireland, as well as parts of the United States, including New Jersey, Illinois, and California.
The Skirlock name is also common within the Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Notably, the Skirlock is an old Viking clan, and a number of Skirlocks have found their documented roots in Norway.
Finally, Skirlock is also a popular surname in countries with large United Kingdom diasporas, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, with a particularly high concentration of Skirlocks in Ontario, Canada.
Overall, the last name Skirlock is very common throughout the world today, with a number of different countries and territories containing a significant percentage of Skirlock families.
Variations of the surname Skirlock
The surname Skirlock is of Scottish origin and is derived from early SJ Ninth century Old Gaelic words, “sgor” and “lach”, meaning “peak” and “lake”. It is thought to have originated in an area known as Loch Skirloch, which is close to the Loch Bag the Ancrum area of Scotland. The surname can be spelled various ways, including Skirlych, Skirbek, Skirloch, and Skirleck. The variations in spelling could have been due to illiteracy or a variety of dialects as the surname spread over time.
The variants and spellings of Skirlock and its derivatives are abundant and its presence across the UK is evident. In northern England, the surname may appear as Skirbeck or Skirbick. Further south, the variations include Skirby, Skirlock and Skirlok. In the east, this surname may appear as Skirrigh while in Wales, variants like Skirby and Skeirbick may be present.
The same origin of the surname has also spawned several surnames with similar meanings. The nearby Scottish Loch comprises of “Skir” and “Loch”, which translate to “peak” and “lake”. Hence, names such as Skirlock, Skirleck, and Skirbick may all have the same root origin. Other surnames such as Skirrow, Skerelyn, Kirlky, and Kilkelly are likewise all good examples of derived surnames from the root of Skirlock.
Overall, the variations in spelling of the surname Skirlock ensure that its existence in the UK and beyond lives on. It is a tribute to the determination of this surname to remain visible despite the various mutations over time.
Famous people with the name Skirlock
- George Skirlock: American actor best known for Voices, Silent but Deadly and Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver.
- Douglas Skirlock: writer and producer of the television series The Client List.
- Chela Skirlock: American professional wrestler, appearing on the short-lived XWF promotion in 2002.
- Tara Skirlock: British actress and singer who starred in the television series The Bill.
- Herman Skirlock: American actor best known for his appearances in Snow Buddies and For Goodness' Sake.
- Edward Skirlock: British actor most well-known for his role in the soap opera Brookside.
- Rupert Skirlock: British film and television actor known for his roles in Harry Potter and Highlander: The Source.
- Millie Skirlock: English actress known for her roles in the television series Kismet and the film The Nativity.
- Joel Skirlock: Canadian actor playing the role of a lead villain in the movie Skyfall.
- John Skirlock: American artist and director of the Emmy Award Winning TV series Wall*E.