Surname Garlick - Meaning and Origin

Garlick: What does the surname Garlick mean?

The surname Garlick is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word gār, meaning "spear". It is believed to have been an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a spear maker or maker of weaponry.

Garlick is a common surname in English-speaking countries. It is particularly common in the United States, where records show that the name was first recorded in the early 19th century. Other variants of the surname include Garlicke, Garleke, Garcke and Garlic.

The surname Garlick can now be found in many different countries around the world. Many of these countries, however, have adopted variants of the name, often reflecting their particular culture or language. In French, for example, the name is often spelled Garle, while in Germany it is often spelled Garleke or Garike.

The surname Garlick most often survives as a surname today. However, the comical phrase "The whole garlick," often used to describe an overly boisterous person, points to its long-standing use as a nickname in some parts of the world.

Garlick: Where does the name Garlick come from?

The last name Garlick is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. Records show that there were also significant numbers of bearers of this name in the United States and Canada in the late 19th century, although today the name is less common in North America than it is in the UK.

The origin of the Garlick last name is likely English, as there is a reference to the local surname of Garlech in 1327 in England. The name almost certainly originated as a topographic or habitational name derived from the Old English "gar" meaning a triangular ridge plus “leah” meaning a woodland clearing or meadow. From this combination, the name would have once been a descriptor of someone who lived in or near a triangular-shaped wood clearing.

Garlick is an interesting name, given that it blends two seemingly contradictory ideas: a triangular shape with a meadow. It could be argued that the name reflects a balance between nature and human-made structures, emphasizing the harmony between humans and the environment.

Today, the last name Garlick can be found in particular concentrations in the English counties of Kent, Surrey, Essex, and Hertfordshire. Records also show evidence of the name in Scotland, with notable concentrations in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Roxburghshire.

Variations of the surname Garlick

The surname Garlick is of English origin and has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of Garlick is Garlicke, with the Garrett spelling being a slightly less popular version. These variations likely came about from a common misreading of the original spelling.

Other related spellings include Garlick, Garlic, Garlich, Garland, Garlicke and Garlike. These variations are common with Victorian records of the surname and can be found in census documents, immigration records, and military records.

The surname is also known to have gained a somewhat German variant, known as Garlich, during the period of mass German emigration to the UK, USA and other countries in the Nineteenth century.

Surnames derived from the Garlick surname include Garlick, Garrett, Garlein, Garling, Garleson, Garlich, and Garland. These names existed by the late Seventeenth century, and the variants remained quite popular to the present day.

In addition to these frequently used variants, the surname has many other variants found primarily in historical documents, including Garlek, Garrock, Gargil, Garleik, Garkil, Garlickin, Garlinge, Garlicke, Garlike, Garrick, Garlick, Gerlich, Garleson and Garlington.

Famous people with the name Garlick

• Bernie Garlick: Professional American football player who played offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins.
• Julia Garlick: British television presenter and actress, best known for presenting on the early morning tv show, Wake Me Up.
• Faces Garlick: A Brazilian electropop singer and songwriter known for her single "Let's Go Freak".
• T. David Garlick: An American meteorologist and entrepreneur. He created the DASH System for tracking severe thunderstorms in the US.
• Mandy Garlick: A Canadian artist and educator known for her multimedia art that focuses on water-related issues.
• Linda Garlick: An American poet and poet-in-residence at George Mason University. Her work has appeared in various print and online literary journals.
• Lyall Garlick: New Zealand artist and printmaker, known for his abstract landscapes and prints.
• José Roberto Garlick: A Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Brazilian club Palmeiras.
• Jennifer Garlick: English historian and author who focuses on matters pertaining to the English monarchy.
• Viscount Richard Garlick: An English peer who was created Viscount Garlick in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1897.

Other surnames

GarlichGarlichsGarlin