sheesh, you need to be a Sherlock to figure this one out!

what I've got so far:
from:
http://www.behindthename.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?terms=sherlock

SHERLOCK m English
Possibly derived from a Middle English nickname meaning "shear lock", referring to people with closely cut hair.

that doesn't really mean a whole lot as it relates to Conan Doyle, but Holmes isn't much better. something to do with an adaptation of the word "Ulmes", where they made a type of fabric, which did, at least, seem a bit tweedy. but that's a long stretch...
even the OED didn't offer any background...


formerly known as etaoin...