Show ContentsHanker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the name Hanker are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name for the son of John.

Early Origins of the Hanker family

The surname Hanker was first found in Oxfordshire, where they were Lords of the Manor in that county from the most ancient times. The family originally settled in England after the Norman Conquest and at that time was registered in the rolls as De Hanacre.

Early History of the Hanker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hanker research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1273 is included under the topic Early Hanker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hanker Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hanker has been spelled many different ways, including Hanker, Hancker, Hanekere, Hanekare, De Hanacre and others.

Early Notables of the Hanker family

More information is included under the topic Early Hanker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hanker migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hankers to arrive in North America:

Hanker Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Sara Hanker, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 1
Hanker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Hanker, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1813


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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