Surname Pollock - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Histories: Uncovering the Pollock Surname’s Genealogical Tapestry Through iGENEA DNA Test

Following my iGENEA DNA test, surprising revelations were discovered regarding the historical lineage and routes of migration linked to the Pollock surname. The tracing of my genetic data has unveiled the surname's origins rooted in ancient Celtic tribes and its significant ties to the indigenous population of the British Isles. Additionally, fascinating findings of potential Viking affiliation has emerged, further complexifying the Pollock’s ancestral tapestry.

N. Pollock

Pollock: What does the surname Pollock mean?

The surname Pollock is of Scottish origin and is derived from the pre 7th century Old English given name "Polluc," which translates to "the little pool". It is believed to be a geographical surname referring to someone who lived near a small body of water or pool. It may also be a variant of Pollok, which is a place in Glasgow, Scotland. The family who first bore the Pollock surname held a family seat in Renfrew (part of the modern Strathclyde region) from very early times. Notably, its carriers often adopted it as an Anglicised form of the Jewish surname Pollak, which means a person from Poland, in the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Thus, the last name Pollock has both geographical and nationalistic interpretations based on its bearers' varied ethnic and regional background.

Pollock: Where does the name Pollock come from?

The Pollock surname is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom today. It is thought to have originated in Scotland during the 11th century, most likely from the Pictish tribe that inhabited what is now known as the southwest of Scotland. During that era, the name Pollock was most likely derived from "Paul," the Latinized form of "Paulus," which meant small or humble.

In Scotland, the Pollock surname is mostly concentrated in the southwest of the country. Places like Glasgow, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire contain the highest percentage of those with the name. There are also smaller populations in Renfrewshire, Falkirk, and Edinburgh. Pollock is still a relatively common name in Ireland, especially in Belfast and rural areas of County Armagh.

Elsewhere in the world, the Pollock family name has spread to many countries across the globe, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Denmark. In the US, those with the surname Pollock are mainly found in the Southern states, such as Georgia and Alabama, but there are also populations scattered throughout the country.

Overall, those with the surname Pollock can trace their roots back to the 11th century in Scotland but today can easily be found across the world.

Variations of the surname Pollock

The surname Pollock is a variant of the Old German name, Pollock. It is of patronymic origin, deriving from the given name Paul. This surname was originally used to distinguish individuals in a family.

The surname of Pollock can be spelled multiple ways, such as: Polecke, Poleck, Polak, Pollack, Poelck, Polick, Polet, Polec, Pollocke, Poelke, Polleke, and Pawlock. It is also associated with numerous variations in spelling, such as Pollok, Pollock, Polek, Pollack, Pollok, Paulick, Polecke, Poleck, Polak, Polick, Poelck, Polet, Polec, Polocke, Poelke, Polleke, Pawlock, Polock, Polix, and Paulock.

The surname Pollock is also common in English and Scottish records. In England, variants of the surname include Paulick, Polek, Pollack, Polet, and Polecke. In Scotland, the variants of Pollock include Pollok, Paulick, Polick, Paulock, and Pollex.

In Ireland, Pollocks have been recorded since the fifteenth century. Variants of the surname in Ireland include Polec, Polak, Polecke, Poleck, Polock, Pollex, and Polock.

In Poland, the surname Pollock often appears as Polak. Variations of the surname in Polish records include Polak, Polick, Polock, and Polock.

In Germany, Pollock is usually found spelled as Polike, Poleck, Poelke, Polleke, Polocke, Polecke, and Poleck. Variations of the surname in German records include Poelck, Polick, Polet, and Polec.

Overall, the surname Pollock has many spellings and variants associated with it and is found throughout Europe and North America.

Famous people with the name Pollock

• Jackson Pollock: one of the most famous American artists of the 20th century, and a major force in the abstract expressionist movement.
• Warren Pollock: award winning American actor who starred in projects like the Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Up.
• Jarod Pollock: Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Harry Pollock: actor, comedian and producer.
• Jesse Pollock: an Australian cricketer.
• Kevin Pollock: Canadian former ice hockey referee in the National Hockey League.
• Jayme Dickman Pollock: an American dancer and actress who starred in films such as The Sound of Music and Dirty Dancing.
• Dwight Pollock: the second oldest member of the original English Reformed Church congregation.
• Arthur Pollock: the first African-American Major General in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
• S. W. Pollock: an early American aviator, aeronautical engineer, and holder of numerous aviation patents.

Other surnames

PollocPollocekPolloczekPollogPollokPollotzekPollozek