Surname Mortock - Meaning and Origin

Mortock: What does the surname Mortock mean?

The surname Mortlock is of English origin and primarily found in East Anglia, particularly in Cambridgeshire. It is believed to be a locational surname originating from a place that existed in medieval times but now no longer exists, a so-called "lost village". Such places got their name due to disasters such as the Black Death or due to land being cleared for sheep farming. Mortlock may derive from the Old English words "mort", interpreted as a young salmon or a mare, and "lac", meaning play or sport. Thus, it can be roughly translated as “a place where young salmon play” or "a place for playing with the mare". It's important to note that the meaning of surnames can vary based on geographical origin and historical context. Over time, surnames also evolved due to the illiteracy of the general population and the lack of standardization in spelling, often being written phonetically. Therefore, the interpretation of the last name's precise meaning can be speculative. Furthermore, the last name Mortlock may have several variations including Mortlocke, Mortlack, and Mortlake.

Mortock: Where does the name Mortock come from?

The last name Mortock can be found in many places around the world today. In the United Kingdom, the Mortock name originated in Cornwall and Devon. It is very likely that many Cornish-born Mortocks today trace their origins back to the small Cornish and Devonshire towns and villages that were their forebears' homes. The Mortock name spread to other parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales. It can also be found in Australia and New Zealand today, no doubt the result of emigrants from the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the Mortock surname is particularly common in Appalachia. Several distinct lines of Mortocks can be traced to the colonies of New England and Virginia, often appearing first in the records of Massachusetts and Virginia in the early 1600s and 1700s. Mortocks can also be found in other states, including Pennsylvania and Indiana.

As in Britain, some Mortock families have emigrated to Canada, again likely originating from England and Wales in the 19th century. Mortocks can also be found in South Africa, and it is likely that the emigrants originated from the southern United Kingdom at some point in the past.

Today, many people with the Mortock surname can be identified all over the world. Though members of the Mortock family now live far from their ancestral homes, their surname has remained a constant reminder of their shared origins.

Variations of the surname Mortock

The surname Mortock is of English origin. It is likely derived from the Old English words "mor" and "toc," which mean "marsh" and "enclosure" respectively. This suggests that it may have originally referred to a person who lived near or owned a plot of land in a marshy area. Variations of the Mortock surname include Mortoch, Mortochs, Mortecks, Mortecksen, Morticke, Mortockes, Mortocke, Mortoke, Mortox and Morthick.

The surname Mortoch is a variant of Mortock and is also of English origin. It may also have derived from the Old English words "mor" and "toc." Variations of the Mortoch surname include Mortochs, Mortocks, Mortecks, Mortecke, Mortich, Mortocke, Mortoke and Mortox.

The surname Mortecks is another variant of Mortock and is also of English origin. Variations of the Mortecks surname include Mortecksen, Morticke, Mortockes, Mortocke, Mortoke, Mortox and Morthick.

The surname Morticke is derived from the Old English words "mor" and "tic," which means "marsh" and "teacher" respectively. This suggests that the surname may have have originally referred to someone who taught or was in charge of teaching in a marshy region. Variations of the Morticke surname include Mortecksen, Morticke, Mortockes, Mortocke, Mortoke, Mortox and Morthick.

Finally, the surname Morthick is a derivative of Mortock, Mortoch, and Mortecks. Variations of the Morthick surname include Mortecksen, Morticke, Mortockes, Mortocke, Mortoke, Mortox and Morthick.

Famous people with the name Mortock

• William Mortock, British soldier who fought in both World Wars and was part of the Battle of Passchendaele.
• Nathan Mortock, Australian actor best known for his roles in television shows such as Terra Nova and Out of the Blue.
• David Mortock, Canadian award-winning cinematographer.
• Sarah Mortock, English model and swimwear designer.
• Wilbur Mortock, American actor and voice actor from the 1920s-1950s, known for playing comedic roles on the radio.
• Brian Mortock, New Zealand professional boxer who won the National Amateur Heavyweight championship in 1955.
• Ed Mortock, American playwright, musical theatre composer, Broadway producer and theatre manager.
• John Mortock, English explorer and navigator who was part of 19th-century British Antarctic expeditions.
• Mark Mortock, Canadian author of speculative fiction.
• Marcus Mortock, Australian Olympic triple jumper who competed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Other surnames

Morton