Lockey Hill cello, London circa 1775

Second generation violin maker of the celebrated Hill dynasty of English luthiers, Lockey Hill (1756–1810) was the fifth son of Joseph Hill I (1715–1784). A leading and prolific maker, he built trade instruments for the London company of Longman & Co. (also Longman, Lukey & Broderip; Longman & Broderip), in addition to personal models bearing his own label. His son Henry Lockey Hill (also Lockey II or Henry Hill 1774–1835) took over the family workshop in 1810, and in turn passed the business to his own sons, including William Ebsworth Hill (1817–1895) — head of the most acclaimed violin company in London in the 19th century: W. E. Hill & Sons, which exists today as the oldest continuously operating violin firm in England.