Ackle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ackle

What does the name Ackle mean?

The origins of the Ackle name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Ackle was originally derived from a family having lived in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. The surname Ackle literally means oak-meadow. 1 The surname Ackle is associated with the village of Acle in Norfolk, and the village of Akeley in Buckinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Ackle family

The surname Ackle was first found in Norfolk or Buckinghamshire. Of the two locations, Akeley (Akely) in Buckinghamshire seems to be the strongest place of origin for the surname. Located "in the union, hundred, and county of Buckingham, 2½ miles (N. by E.) from the town of Buckingham," 2

Akeley has remained small over the years as by the late 1800s, it only had a population of 362. 2 However, the parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Achelei. 3

Some of the family were found in Whitworth, Durham in early years. "According to the Boldon book, this manor was held by Thomas de Acley, by the service of a quarter of a knight's fee." 2

Early History of the Ackle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ackle research. Another 295 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1500, 1610 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Ackle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ackle Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ackle include Ackley, Acley, Acle, Ackle, Aclie, Acklie, Acly and others.

Early Notables of the Ackle family

Distinguished members of the family include

Ralph de Ackle, a prominent 13th century landholder in Oxfordshire

Migration of the Ackle family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Henry Ackerly, who sailed to New Haven, Connecticut in 1640. Also, Nicholas Acly who arrived in Connecticut in 1655; William Ackley in Virginia in 1664.

Sources +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)