Sonkay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Sonkay family

The surname Sonkay was first found in Lancashire where the Sankeys descend from a family of considerable antiquity. The first on record is Galdridus de Sankey, who held the lands of Sankey Manga and Sankey Parva in the reign of King John. 1 Later, William de Sankey was rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire from 1298 to 1299. 2

"The manor of Little Sankey was granted by Pain de Vilers, lord of Warrington, to Gerard de Sankey the carpenter, in the early part of the twelfth century. It was assessed as one plough-land and held by knight's service. In 1212 Robert son of Thomas was holding it; and thirty years later Robert de Samlesbury was the tenant. He or his descendants probably adopted the local surname; but little or nothing is known of the place until the end of the fifteenth century, when Randle, son of Randle Sankey, did homage and paid 10s. as his relief for one plough-land in Little Sankey. Edward Sankey died 1 December, 1602, holding the tenth part of a knight's fee in Little Sankey, Warrington, and Great Sankey; Thomas, his son and heir, was under sixteen years of age. Nothing further seems to be known of the family or manor." 2

Early History of the Sonkay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sonkay research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1190 is included under the topic Early Sonkay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sonkay Spelling Variations

Sonkay has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Sonkay have been found, including Sankey, Sanky and others.

Early Notables of the Sonkay family

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

Migration of the Sonkay family to Ireland

Some of the Sonkay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sonkay family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Sonkays to arrive on North American shores: Robert Sankey settled in Boston in 1635; Andrew Sankey arrived in Philadelphia in 1799; Ham Sankey settled in St. Christopher in 1635.

The Sonkay 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: Sancta Clavis Coeli Fides
Motto Translation: Faith is the Sacred Key to Heaven.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].