Lockett Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

LOCKETT

The English surname Lockett is a nickname from the Latin given name “Lucas”. It is believed the name came to England by way of France. French soldiers returning from the Crusades in the Holy Lands are thought to have imported the Latin given name “Lucas” upon their return. The name Lucas is the Latin stylized version of the Greek name “Loucas”, which is topographical; as it was used in reference to a citizen of a region of south eastern Italy once known as Lucania. Lucania originated from an ancient Italian word which translates to “shinning”. It was at this time very common for soldiers returning from the holy land to bring new names to the west. Many of these names, are biblical in origin with their earliest spellings being derived from Hebrew and Latin spellings.

Surnames in Europe prior to the mid-sixteenth century were largely unheard of. Residents found little need for surnames in the small settlements and villages which existed during earlier times as everyone in these communities new each other and a given name would usually suffice. However, with the passage of time, population growth and expansions of communities as villages gave way to towns and cities, it became necessary to add a qualifier to a people’s names to distinguish them, one from another. Therefore one person may have been identified by their given name plus their occupation while another may have been identified by their given name and one of their parent’s names. There was a limitless supply from which surnames could be culled, in addition to the use of patriarchal/matriarchal names or reference to the individuals occupation, there were things such as defining physical traits, a familiar geographical location or a topographical landmark found near the individuals home or birthplace, the name of the village in which the person lived, and so much more. Soon, surnames would come not just to represent an individual but whole families.

The Protestant Reformation was the single largest cause which spread the use of surnames not only in Britain but throughout continental Europe. Paymasters of serving regiments, had to document each and every soldier serving. Having a surname became paramount for pay purposes.

There often exists variations in spelling of many surnames, as with many given names which date back to the early centuries. The variation in spelling of both given and surnames during this time period can be attributed to a lack of continuity regarding guidelines for spelling which was compounded by the diversity of languages in use in European countries at this time. The variations in the spelling of the surname Luke include but not limited to; Lockett; Lochett; Locket; and Locquett among others.

The earliest record of any variation of this surname is that of Eudo Loket which appears in the Norfolk tax rolls dated 1275. These tax rolls were a series of census and tax records kept by the English Treasury by order of King Edward I, with the oldest dating back to the 12th century. They hold the distinction of being the oldest consecutive set of records detailing English governance in the United Kingdom. These records span a period of over 700 years and have proven invaluable to researches over the years.

The first recorded immigrant to America bearing the surname or any variation of the spelling was Martha Lockett who arrived in 1675 and settled in Maryland. Margaret Lockett landed and settled in Maryland in 1675.

There were also many immigrants to the British Common Wealth countries of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand bearing the surname Lockett. John Lockett landed in 1836 and settled in Holdfast Bay, Australia. Elizabeth Lockett landed and settled in South Australia in 1859. Siblings Jonas, Elizabeth, and Ann Lockett landed in 1841 and settled in Port Nicholson, New Zealand.

Worldwide, the highest concentration of people with the surname Lockett are found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and Canada. By state, the largest percentile of those with the surname Lockett live in North Dakota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Louisiana.

There are many persons of note who bear the surname Lockett, the most notable in the United States is James R. Lockett an American Army officer. Lockett attained the rank of Colonel. Lockett was educated at the University of Georgia, graduating in 1874. After he graduated from Georgia he received an appointment as a cadet at the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1878. Lockett was a veteran of the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection for which he was awarded two Silver Stars His last posting was that of the commanding officer of the 11th Cavalry Regiment. Camp Lockett was named after him, which was a U.S. Army base established during World War II in Campo, California. During World War II Camp Lockett was home to 10th and 28th Cavalry Regiments of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

(Clouterbrook, co. Chester, West Houghton, and Liverpool, co. Lancaster, and of the town of Derby). Or, a chev. gu. betw. three stags’ heads couped ppr. Crest—A stag’s head, as in the arms.