Colleck

Recorded in the spellings of Collick, Colleck, and originally (in Cornish registers) as Collock, this is a Cornish locational surname of probably Olde English pre 7th century origins. The surname predates the church registers of the area. According to our information the surname is first recorded in the London area, see below, and in the parish of Veryan near Tregoney from about 1680. It is almost certain that the unpublished rolls, charters and wills, in the county Reference Library of Cornwall will give earlier examples of the surname. According to the Cornish Surnames Book the translation of the name is 'little hazel', however we must differ from this opinion, as this is illogical. Our research and experience suggests that the meaning is the same as for the surname 'Coll(e)y' for which the translation is correctly given as 'the place of the hazel'. Of the meaning of 'coll' there can be little doubt, the word appearing in the same context in both Welsh and Old English. Early examples of the surname recording include John Collock of Veryan, who was a witness at the christening of his son John on January 24th 1664, and Elizabeth Collick, who married Richard Luton at All Hallows, London Wall, on January 18th 1665. Grace Colleck was christened at Veryan on September 21st 1681, whilst James Collick, the son of William Collick was christened at Helston, Cornwall on January 29th 1692. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Patrycke Collycke, which was dated August 27th 1564, a witness at St Michael Bassishaw, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, known as 'Good Queen Bess', 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.