Akle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Akle name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. The surname Akle literally means oak-meadow. 1 The surname Akle is associated with the village of Acle in Norfolk, and the village of Akeley in Buckinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Akle family

The surname Akle 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 Akle family

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

Akle Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Akle has undergone many spelling variations, including Ackley, Acley, Acle, Ackle, Aclie, Acklie, Acly and others.

Early Notables of the Akle family

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

Migration of the Akle family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Akle were among those contributors: 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)