Show ContentsAckerman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ackerman is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a ploughman, a tiller of the soil, or a farmer. The name Ackerman was originally derived from the Old German word Akermann, which literally means acreman.

Early Origins of the Ackerman family

The surname Ackerman was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor, some say before the Norman Conquest by Duke William in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Ackerman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ackerman research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ackerman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ackerman Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ackerman are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ackerman include Akerman, Acreman, Ackerman, Akarman, Acherman and many more.

Early Notables of the Ackerman family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Ackerman of Dorset

Ackerman Ranking

In the United States, the name Ackerman is the 1,401st most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 1


United States Ackerman migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ackerman or a variant listed above:

Ackerman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Abraham Ackerman, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620 2
  • David Ackerman, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1620 2
  • Lodewyck Ackerman, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620 2
  • Robert Ackerman, who arrived in Virginia in 1633 2
  • Tho Ackerman, who landed in Virginia in 1652 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ackerman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Ackerman, who arrived in North Carolina in 1740 2
  • Geo Ackerman, who landed in South Carolina in 1748 2
  • Joh George Ackerman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 2
  • Johan George Ackerman, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750 2
  • Johan Ackerman, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1750
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ackerman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Ackerman, aged 14, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1817 2
  • John Ackerman, aged 56, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1826 2
  • Philip Ackerman, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 2
  • Christian Ackerman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1840 2
  • Christian Gottlieb Ackerman, who arrived in New York in 1843 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Ackerman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ackerman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Carl Ackerman who landed in Canada in 1783
  • Mr. Albert Ackerman U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Canada c. 1783 3
  • Mr. James Ackerman U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Canada c. 1783 3
  • Sam Ackerman settled at Battle Harbour, Labrador, in 1795
Ackerman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Ackerman was a fisherman of Brigus, Newfoundland in 1837 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Ackerman (post 1700) +

  • Robert Allan Ackerman (1944-2022), American five-time Primetime Emmy nominated film and theatre director, known for Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001), My House in Umbria (2003) and The Reagans (2003)
  • James Nils Ackerman (1912-1994), American Republican politician, Chair of Lancaster County Republican Party, 1950 5
  • Ken Ackerman (1922-2017), American radio announcer, disc jockey, and news anchor
  • Walter H. Ackerman, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from 15th Senatorial District, 1961 5
  • Walter H. Ackerman, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 20th District, 1879 5
  • Sam Ackerman (b. 1934), American Democratic Party politician, Personnel director, Continental Coffee; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 5
  • Walter Ackerman, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Georgia, 1924 (alternate; Member, Credentials Committee), 1936 5
  • Rita G. Ackerman, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1988 5
  • Richard C. Ackerman, American Republican politician, Mayor of Fullerton, California, 1982-83, 1986-88 5
  • Peter Ackerman, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Bergen County, 1885, 1887 5
  • ... (Another 45 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Royal Oak
  • Arthur George Ackerman (1906-1939), born in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, Welsh Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 6


The Ackerman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto:
Motto Translation: Victory in Truth.


Suggested Readings for the name Ackerman +

  • The Ackerman Family by Barbara W. Tobey.
  • Ackerman Homesteads: A Saga of Ackerman Lives and Times by Rosa Ackerman Livingston.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  4. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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