Aklan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Aklan date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Aklan family lived in or near a prominent grove of oak trees. The name Aklan literally means oak-land. The branch of the family that originated in Devon is said to have been named for a particular grove near their seat at Acland Barton in Landkey.

"Akland, in Landkey, near Barnstaple, is the first seat of the Acland family, and has been held by them from the twelfth century." 1

Early Origins of the Aklan family

The surname Aklan was first found in Devon, where "Acland, which gave name to this ancient family, is now a farm in the parish of Landkey." 2

"Acland, or rather Aukeland, as taking name from a grove of oaks, for by such an one the house is seated, and hath given name and long habitation to the clarous family of Aclands, which have many ages here flourished in a worshipful degree." 2

Hugh de Accalen is the first recorded ancestor in 1155. The aforementioned farm still exists and is about 3/4 mile north-east of the village of Landkey. "The ancient family of Acland for nearly three centuries have made their home in the vicinity of Exeter. Sir John Acland was the builder of the house at Columbjohn, which gave title to the baronetcy at its creation in 1644, and which was garrisoned by its owner for the King. At one time it contained the only Royalist garrison in the county; but in March, 1646, it was the headquarters of Sir Thomas Fairfax. This mansion has been destroyed, and the present seat of the Aclands is at Killerton, in the same parish of Broad Clyst. Originally built in the year 1788, Killerton was greatly enlarged and improved by its late owner, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, to whom the distinguished honour was paid of the erection of a statue on Northernhay, Exeter, in his lifetime, ' as a tribute for private worth and public integrity, and in testimony of admiration of a generous heart and open hand, which have been ever ready to protect the weak, to relieve the needy, and to succour the oppressed of whatever party, race, or creed.' The Aclands take their second name of Dyke as representatives of the old Somersetshire family of that name." 1

Some of the family were found in Cornwall. "The manor of Crugantarran, or Cragantallan, which is partly in this parish and partly in Newlyn, belonged to the Arundells of Trerice. It is now the property of Sir Thomas Dyke Ackland, bart." 3

Early History of the Aklan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aklan research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1155, 1553, 1573, 1591, 1610, 1613, 1626, 1636, 1644, 1647, 1649, 1655, 1672, 1697, 1714, 1722, 1728, 1785, 1818 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Aklan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aklan 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 Aklan 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 Aklan include: Acland, Aukland, Aclands, Ackland, Acklands and many more.

Early Notables of the Aklan family

Notables of the family at this time include John VI Acland (died 1553) who was described as "the first of the (Acland) family to emerge from the shadows of history as a visible human being." Sir John Acland (d. 1613), was the second son of John Acland, of Acland in Landkey, Devonshire. "From his mother he obtained considerable landed property in the neighbourhood of London, and increased his fortune by marrying Elizabeth, the daughter of George Rolle, of Stevenston, in Devon, and the widow of Robert Mallet, of Woolleigh in the same county. " 4 Anthony Acland (died 1626), was an English...
Another 137 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aklan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Aklan family

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 Aklan or a variant listed above: George and Mary Ackland who settled in Virginia in 1623; Mary Ackland settled in the same state 1638; Thomas Ackland settled in Somers Island in 1662.

The Aklan 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: Inebranlable
Motto Translation: Unshaken.

Citations +

Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print