Worlock

Recorded in the spellings of Warlock, Werlock, Werlick, and Worlock, this very unusual surname is English and with pre medieval origins. It derives from the the 7th Century word "waerlogga", translating as traitor or devil, from the elements "waer" meaning "a covenant" plus "loga" - a lie or falsehood. It is claimed that the name was originally given as a nickname personal name to a traitor or agreement-breaker! However the later medieval surname has a less ominous meaning being a "pageant name". This was given to an actor who played the part of a sorcerer or "The Devil" in the travelling theatre of the period, or who was a magician or conjuror. This is rather fortunate as the present (1994) Roman Catholic bishop of Liverpool, is the Reverend John Warlock! The early surname recordings include Simon Le Warloc in the records of Crowland Abbey, Cambridgeshire in the year1290, whilst on August 30th 1581, Margaret Worloch and William Stanfer were married at St. Gregory's by St. Paul's, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas Warloc, which was dated 1279, in the Hundred Rolls of the county of Cambridgeshire. This was during the reign of King Edward Ist, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.