What does Warlock mean?

This word is probably derived from an old English word meaning Oathbreaker. It was used occasionally in Scotland to refer to male witches possibly because they had broken their covenant with God to go in league with the devil.

Some people have tried to use it in the modern day, but it quickly became unpopular. Many male-witches simply preferred to refer to themselves as witches.

Often a person who openly identifies as a warlock is met with continual comments about its origins meaning Oathbreaker by the Neopagan community.

See also other types of Magic Practitioner.