Killick

Killick is a term with multiple uses in English. In maritime slang, a killick refers to a simple wooden anchor used by small boats or tenders. It was a lightweight, easily carried anchor employed for temporary or near-shore anchorage, especially when larger anchors were impractical. The concept appears in nautical dictionaries and historical shipboard accounts from earlier centuries, and it is sometimes encountered in literature that describes old seafaring practices. The exact construction could vary, but the underlying idea was a compact, wooden anchor suitable for small craft.

Killick is also an English surname. It has appeared in historical records dating back to the medieval period and is found in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. As a surname, Killick is borne by individuals across a range of professions and has been passed down through generations, often reflecting regional or familial origins.

In addition to its nautical and onomastic uses, Killick may appear in place names or as part of toponyms derived from family names in historical or local contexts. Today, the term is primarily seen in historical, genealogical, and biographical sources, where it is noted for its dual role as both a surname and a historical nautical term.