Aclay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Aclay comes from when the family resided in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. The surname Aclay literally means oak-meadow. 1 The surname Aclay is associated with the village of Acle in Norfolk, and the village of Akeley in Buckinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Aclay family

The surname Aclay 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 Aclay family

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

Aclay Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Aclay has been recorded under many different variations, including Ackley, Acley, Acle, Ackle, Aclie, Acklie, Acly and others.

Early Notables of the Aclay family

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

Migration of the Aclay family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Aclay or a variant listed above: 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.

Citations +

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)