Arkell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Arkell reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the Dutch surname Van Arkel. The name Van Arkel may spring from the Anglo-Saxon form of Hercules, which is Ercol. A less likely root of the name is the parish of Ercoll Magna, or High Ercoll in Shropshire.

Early Origins of the Arkell family

The surname Arkell was first found in Norfolk, where the Saxon name Arnketel was found in 1019. 1 Archetel, Archel and Archil are all found in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

Later in Northumberland, Archil de Corebr was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1159 and in 1256, Richard Arkill was listed in the Assize Rolls. The Hundredorum Rolls for Huntingdonshire include Roger Arketyl and in Yorkshire, the first entry for the family was as a forename: Arkell de Breddal in 1219. Later, William Harkill, Arkel was recorded in 1316 and 1331. John Arcle was a Freeman of York in 1455. 1

In Berwickshire, Scotland, this northern branch of the family name descended from Anketell, or Arnketill. 3

Early History of the Arkell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arkell research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1500, 1533, 1572, 1588, 1609, 1610, 1621 and 1626 are included under the topic Early Arkell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arkell Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Arkell has been recorded under many different variations, including Arkell, Arkle, Arkill, Arcle, Argal, Argall, Arnkell, Artell, Artill, Arctall, Arktale, Arktell, Arktull, Arkgale and many more.

Early Notables of the Arkell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Argall (c.1533-1588) of East Sutton, Kent; and his son, Sir Samuel Argall (c. 1572-1626), an English adventurer, Naval officer and Deputy-Governor of Virginia. He was "descended from an old Kentish family who afterwards settled at Walthamstow in Essex. His first appearance in history is among the early adventurers to Virginia, where we find him in July 1609 in charge of a small barque lying at anchor off Jamestown, where he was sent to trade on behalf of a Mr, Cornells, and to fish for sturgeon. His next task, after his return home...
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arkell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arkell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Arkell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Joseph Arkell, aged 24, a gardener, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Constance" 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Arkell (post 1700) +

James Arkell, American politician, Member of New York State Senate 18th District, 1884-85 5
John Arkell, prominent British corporate executive
William Joscelyn Arkell (1904-1958), British paleontologist
Reverend Anthony Arkell (1898-1980), British historian, Egyptologist, and colonial administrator, who became the commissioner for archaeology and anthropology in the Sudan, and later, the Vicar of Cuddington
Reginald Arkell (1882-1959), British playwright and comedic novelist

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Constance.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html