Show ContentsAnketell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Anketell is one of the many new names that came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Anketell family lived in Anctiville, Normandy, in the diocese of Coutances. The Anketell family migrated to England in the 11th century, settling in the county of Dorset.

Early Origins of the Anketell family

The surname Anketell was first found in the county of Dorset, in England, but for earlier origins the family can be traced to Tebotvilla in Normandy, where their territories were known as Weedon Beck. They accompanied Duke William of Normandy into England in 1066 and were granted lands in Dorset.

Early History of the Anketell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anketell research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1636 and 1901 are included under the topic Early Anketell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anketell Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Anketill, Ankatell, Anketil, Ankatel, Anchetill, Anchetell and many more.

Early Notables of the Anketell family

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

Ireland Migration of the Anketell family to Ireland

Some of the Anketell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Anketell migration to the United States +

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Anketell name or one of its variants:

Anketell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Anketell who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844

Contemporary Notables of the name Anketell (post 1700) +

  • Thomas J. Anketell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1932 1


The Anketell 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: Vade ad formicam
Motto Translation: Go to the ant.


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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