Show ContentsArketel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the name Arketel begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the given name Arkley, which is a derivative of the Old Norse name Arnketill.

One of the most famous of the family in early years was Andrew Harclay, Harcla or Hartcla (d. 1323), the son of Michael de Harclay, Sheriff of Cumberland between 1285 and 1298. "In 1303-4 Andrew fought with Edward I in Scotland, and again served in the earlier wars of Edward II against the Scots. In October 1309 he was made Captain in the West Marches, and ordered to repair to his domains to defend the north against the Scots. Between 1312 and 1315 he was Sheriff of Cumberland, but in his last year of office he discharged his duties by attorney. In 1312 he was knight of the shire for Cumberland. " 1

Early Origins of the Arketel family

The surname Arketel was first found in Northumberland, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Arketel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arketel research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1256, 1273, 1331, 1379, 1385, 1415, 1455, 1595, 1676, 1688 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Arketel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arketel 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. Arketel has been recorded under many different variations, including Arkley, Arkly, Arketel, Arkill, Arkell, Arkoll, Arkel, Arkle, Arcle, Arklay and many more.

Early Notables of the Arketel family

Distinguished members of the family include Maria van Arkel (c. 1385-1415), the only daughter and heiress of Lord John V of Arkel and Joanna of Jülich, inherited the title to Gelderland from her maternal...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arketel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Arketel 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 Arketel or a variant listed above: Henry Arkle, who was recorded in Elgin County, Ontario in 1872 and Joseph Arkley, who was living in Carleton County, Ontario in 1879.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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