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Show ContentsArkliss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Arkliss is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the Dutch surname Van Arkel. The name Van Arkel may spring from the Anglo-Saxon form of Hercules, which is Ercol. A less likely root of the name is the parish of Ercoll Magna, or High Ercoll in Shropshire.

Early Origins of the Arkliss family

The surname Arkliss was first found in Norfolk, where the Saxon name Arnketel was found in 1019. 1 Archetel, Archel and Archil are all found in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

Later in Northumberland, Archil de Corebr was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1159 and in 1256, Richard Arkill was listed in the Assize Rolls. The Hundredorum Rolls for Huntingdonshire include Roger Arketyl and in Yorkshire, the first entry for the family was as a forename: Arkell de Breddal in 1219. Later, William Harkill, Arkel was recorded in 1316 and 1331. John Arcle was a Freeman of York in 1455. 1

In Berwickshire, Scotland, this northern branch of the family name descended from Anketell, or Arnketill. 3

Early History of the Arkliss family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arkliss research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1500, 1533, 1572, 1588, 1609, 1610, 1621 and 1626 are included under the topic Early Arkliss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arkliss Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Arkell, Arkle, Arkill, Arcle, Argal, Argall, Arnkell, Artell, Artill, Arctall, Arktale, Arktell, Arktull, Arkgale and many more.

Early Notables of the Arkliss family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Argall (c.1533-1588) of East Sutton, Kent; and his son, Sir Samuel Argall (c. 1572-1626), an English adventurer, Naval officer and Deputy-Governor of Virginia. He was "descended from an old Kentish family who afterwards settled at Walthamstow in Essex. His first appearance in history is among the early adventurers to Virginia, where we find him in July 1609 in charge of a small barque lying at anchor off Jamestown, where he was sent to trade on behalf of a Mr, Cornells, and to fish for sturgeon. His next task, after his return home...
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arkliss Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Arkliss family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Arkliss or a variant listed above: Sir Samuel Argal who settled in Virginia in 1624.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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