Show ContentsSakval History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sakval was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Sakval family lived in Sussex. Their name, however, is a reference to Sauqueville, near the River Scie, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Sakval family

The surname Sakval was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Richard de Sachanuilla, de Sacheuilla was listed in Hertfordshire and Essex. 2

However, Lower claims the family originated in "a place in Normandy, now called Sauqueville, near the river Scie, in the department of the Lower Seine, about seven miles from Dieppe. Collins says, that the family were lords of the town and seigniory 'long before the Conquest.' The name was variously written De Salchevilla, Salkavilla, Saccavilla, &c. According to genealogists, the first of the family in England was Herbrand de Salchevilla, who came in with the Conqueror, while his kinsman, Jourdain de Salchevilla, was Sewer of England under the same monarch. " 1

And yet another source in an attempt to clear up this confusion, Reaney has the following entry: "Round's derivation of the Sackvilles, later dukes of Dorset, from Sauqueville (Seine-Inférieure) is accepted by Loyd. Their identification of the Essex Domesday Book under-tenant, of a different family, as coming from Secqueville-en-Bessin (Calvados) depends solely on the fact that the place is 11 kilometres from Ryes, the place of origin of Eudo Dapifer under whom he held. The early forms of Secqueville are Sicca Villa (1077), Secheville (1155), Secqueville (1217), which do not fit in with those of Sackville and probably survive as SETCHFIELD. Richard probably came, as suggested by Dupont, from Sacquenville (Eure), recorded as Sachenville (1195), Sakenvilla (c1210), Sackevilla (1220)." 3

Later in Essex, Simon Sakeuilla was found in Colchester, Essex in 1154. 3 The Hndreodrum Rolls of 1273 include: John de Sakewyle, Surrey; and Jordan de Sakeville, Suffolk. 4

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. lists Gwydo de Sakevill, Sussex, Henry III-Edward I; and Robert de Saccavill, Devon. 5

Early History of the Sakval family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sakval research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1507, 1529, 1536, 1546, 1561, 1566, 1591, 1608, 1609, 1622, 1652 and 1677 are included under the topic Early Sakval History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sakval 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 Sackville, Sackvile and others.

Early Notables of the Sakval family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Richard Sackville (ca. 1507-1566) of Ashburnham and Buckhurst in Sussex and Westenhanger in Kent, an English administrator and Member of Parliament; Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (1536-1608), an English statesman, poet...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sakval Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sakval 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 Sakval or a variant listed above: Thomas Sackville arrived in Philadelphia in 1805.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)


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