Show ContentsAkkroit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Akkroit comes from when the family resided in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. This Yorkshire surname is derived from the Old English words ac, which means oak, and rod, which means clearing. Collectively, the name literally means "dweller at the oak clearing."[1] [2]

Early Origins of the Akkroit family

The surname Akkroit was first found in the West, East and North Ridings of the county of Yorkshire. "A well-known Yorkshire surname." [3]

One of the first records of the family was Richard de Akerode who was listed in the Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Society.) [3]

Hugo Aikroide was listed as a Freeman of York in 1612 as was Henry Ackroyd in 1645, and Henry Akeroyd in 1648. [2]

A search through the Register of the University of Oxford revealed: John Acroyd, Yorkshire, 1612; Matthew Aickroid, Yorkshire, 1618; and Samuel Akeroyd, Yorkshire, 1619-1620.

The Eskrigge and Eskridge variants were found in the parish of Eskrigg in Lancashire.

Early History of the Akkroit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Akkroit research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1569, 1624, 1685, 1687, 1688, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1696 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Akkroit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Akkroit 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 Akkroit include Ackroyd, Akroyd, Ackeroyd, Achroyd, Aykroyd, Akrood, Eckroyd, Ecroyd, Akrode, Eckridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Akkroit family

Notables of the family at this time include Samuel Akeroyde, a native of Yorkshire who was a very popular and prolific composer of songs in the latter part of the 17th century. Many of his compositions are contained in the following collections of the period: 'D'Urfey's...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Akkroit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Akkroit 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: John Ackroyd who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1842; Reuden Ackroyd who also settled in Philadelphia in 1873; William Ackroyd who settled in Philadelphia in 1851.



The Akkroit 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: In veritate victoria
Motto Translation: Victory in Truth.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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