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Pollock History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Pollock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Israel
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Pollock

What does the name Pollock mean?

Among the all the peoples of ancient Scotland, the first to use the name Pollock were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name for someone who lived at Pollok (Gaelic: Pollag), a large district on the south-western side of the city of Glasgow, home to Crookston Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was once held. The name of the town has Gaelic origins, from the word 'poll', meaning "pool" or "pit".

Early Origins of the Pollock family

The surname Pollock was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland, where the first occurrence of the name is Peter, son of Fulbert or Fulburt who was granted the lands of Upper Pollock by the High Steward, and who took the surname from the lands, making him the first Pollock. Peter gave the church of Pulloc and its pertinents to the monastery of Paisley, sometime between 1177 and 1199. Within that same period of time, he also confirmed the charter of his brother Helias of Perthic to the same house. Peter also possessed lands in Moray and circa 1175, he witnessed the charter by William the Lion granting Burgin to the Abbey of Kinlos. 1

Circa 1230, Murial de Polloc, a daughter of Peter, gifted her land of Inuerorkel and all its pertinents for the benefit of the hospital erected beside the bridge of Spey for the reception of travelers. Continuing this pattern of generosity, Robert de Pollok granted to the monastery of Paisley, during the reign of Alexander II, alms of twelve pennies a year from the rents he earned from his lands. Other important Pollocks include John Pollok who was both steward of the Abbey of Arbroath and sheriff of Forfar. 1

In England, Pook was a popular variant and in this case, the family was probably from Puckney Gill in the parish of Charlwood, County Surrey, so called from the Old English word "puca" (goblin) and "eg" (island). 2 The surname is first found in Sussex in 1332 as atte Pukenegh, and occurs also in County Surrey at about the same date. From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century the name was largely confined to a small central area of central Sussex, around West Grinstead. The name was also occasionally used as a nickname 'the puk' from the complexion of hair or dress, a colour between russet and black. 3

William Puch was documented in the year 1166, and appears to be the first of the name on record. William le Puk of County Somerset, was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) and John Pouk was recorded in County Somerset at the same time. 4

Early History of the Pollock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pollock research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1272, 1590, 1603, 1660, 1827 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pollock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pollock Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Pollock has appeared as Pollock, Pollocke, Polk, Polke, Pollok, Pollick, Polloch, Pook, Pooke, Poock, Pogue, Poag, Poage, Poague, Poak and many more.

Early Notables of the Pollock family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Peter Pollock of Renfrew

Pollock World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pollock is the 1,440^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Pollock is ranked the 936^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,810 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Pollock is the 747^th popular surname with an estimated 5,215 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Pollock as 655^th with 1,088 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Pollock as 923^rd with 7,495 people. 9

Migration of the Pollock family to Ireland

Some of the Pollock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pollock migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Pollock Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Bearer of Pollock include John Pollock, who settled in Perth Amboy, NJ in 1685
John Pollock, who landed in Perth Amboy, NJ in 1685 10
Bessie Pollock, who arrived in America in 1695

Pollock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Charles Pollock, who arrived in America in 1783 10
Carlisie Pollock, who landed in New York in 1789 10
James Pollock, aged 48, who landed in New York in 1798 10

Pollock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Pollock, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1802
Jane Pollock, aged 30, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1805 10
Mary Pollock, aged 38, who arrived in Maine in 1812 10
Samuel Pollock, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
Sarah Pollock, aged 37, who landed in Maine in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pollock Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Benjamin Pollock, who arrived in Mississippi in 1902 10

Pollock migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pollock Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alexander Pollock, who arrived in New Brunswick in 1816
Robert Pollock, aged 20, who landed in Quebec in 1834
Agnes Pollock, was on record in Ontario in 1841
Mr. Isaac Pollock, aged 6 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire Lass" departing from the port of Yorkshire Lass, Killala but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 11

Pollock migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pollock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander Pollock, (Polack), (b. 1809), aged 10, Scottish Solider who was convicted in Guînes, Pas-de-Calais, France for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Pollock, Irish farm labourer from County Down, Ireland who was convicted in Dumfries, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. Robert Nelson Pollock, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
John Pollock, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Glenswilly" in 1839 15
Miss Margaret Pollock, (b. 1823), aged 18, Irish house servant from County Tyrone, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pollock migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Pollock Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Pollock, aged 21, a farm servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 17
Janet Pollock, aged 30, a housemaid, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
Robert Pollock, aged 29, a smith, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
Miss Janet Pollock, (b. 1810), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 17
Mr. Robert Pollock, (b. 1811), aged 29, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Pollock (post 1700) +

Thomas Philip "Tom" Pollock (1943-2020), American film producer and studio executive
Robert Mason "Bob" Pollock (1917-2016), American television screenwriters and producers who worked with his wife Eileen "Mike" Pollock in the field, responsible for the long-running 1980s series Dynasty
Jessie Pollock, American gold and two time sliver Olympic medalist for archery at the 1904 Summer Games
Eileen "Mike" Pollock (1926-2012), American television screenwriter and producer
Captain Edwin Taylor Pollock (1870-1943), American sailor awarded the Navy Cross during WW1 18
James Pollock (1810-1890), American politician, governor of Pennsylvania from 1855-1858
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), American abstract expressionist painter
Channing Pollock (1880-1946), American author and drama critic
Donald D. Pollock, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Carolina, 1972 19
D. W. Pollock, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1888 19
... (Another 39 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Pollock family +

HMS Repulse

Mr. Thomas Pollock, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 20

The Pollock Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Audacter et strenue
Motto Translation: Boldly and earnestly.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) GLENSWILLY 1839 (also called DAWSONS). Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Glenswilly.htm
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=262
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Edwin Pollock. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Edwin Pollock. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Taylor_Pollock
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html