Last Name Flack

The surname Flack is of English origin and it's an occupational name for a maker or dealer in small articles of leather or metal, derived from Middle English "fla(c)ke," meaning a small piece or slice. It may also have been a nickname for someone thought to be flighty or fleeting, as "fla(c)ke" could also mean a flutter or flicker in Old English.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Flack

The meaning and origin of the last name Flack

The surname Flack is of English origin, derived from various places named Flak or Flax in different regions of England. It could also be an occupational name for a maker or seller of flax. In Old English, "flæc" meant "flax," and the place names could have been named after the flax plants growing there or the production of linen. The surname has several variations including Flack, Flax, Flaxton, and Flakeman, all stemming from the common root word "flax." Over time, the surname spread to other parts of the world through migration, notably to North America and Australia, where it continues to be a prominent family name today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Flack

The surname Flack has a significant presence in various countries, primarily in England and Ireland due to its Anglo-Saxon origins. In England, it is most common in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumberland, with concentrations also found in London and other major cities. In Ireland, it is particularly prevalent in County Donegal and Dublin. The name has also spread globally due to English and Irish immigration waves. In North America, Flack is most numerous in the United States, predominantly in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, as well as Canadian provinces such as Ontario and Nova Scotia, reflecting historical settlement patterns of British and Irish immigrants. Additionally, there are notable populations of Flacks in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, largely due to 19th-century emigration events.

Variants and spellings of the last name Flack

The surname Flack has several variants and spelling variations, primarily due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common versions include Flak, Flake, Fleck, Flacko, and Fleet. These variations may result from misspellings, regional pronunciation differences, or alterations during immigration processes. In the United States, for example, some people with the original English spelling of Flack may have changed it to Flak due to phonetic spelling in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Similarly, variations like Fleck and Flake could have originated from alternative pronunciations or intentional alterations of the name. It is essential to consider these variations when conducting genealogical research or communicating with individuals who may have slight differences in their spelling of the surname Flack.

Famous people with the last name Flack

Notable individuals bearing the surname Flack include:

1. Billie Flack (1943-2017), an American tennis player who won the US Open in 1968 and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in singles and doubles.

2. Naomi Flack (born 1945), an English actress known for her roles in films such as "The Boy with Green Hair" (1948) and television series like "Crown Court" (1972-1984).

3. Lara Flack, a Swiss tennis player who reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of 116 in 2015. She has represented Switzerland in the Fed Cup since 2014.

4. Katherine Johnson (1918-2020), an American mathematician whose work was instrumental to the success of the first and subsequent US manned space flights. Although her maiden name was Fichter, she is often referred to by her married name Flower Lee Johnson-Flack in popular media.

5. Judy Flack (1936-2018), an American artist known for her work with collage and assemblage, primarily using found materials such as paper, fabric, and metal. She exhibited at galleries across the United States.

Genealogical research on the last name Flack

The surname Flack originates from the Middle English word "flaec" or Old Norse "flatr," both meaning flat-nosed or flat-faced. It is primarily found in Scotland and England, suggesting a Scandinavian influence due to Viking invasions. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in 13th century Scotland, with Adam Flac in Fife. The family later migrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. In America, the Flacks arrived primarily through immigration waves from England and Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable individuals with the surname include American physician John Flack (1762-1819) and English cricketer Edgar Flack (1873-1953). Today, the largest concentration of Flacks can be found in Scotland, England, Ireland, United States, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Flack"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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