Show ContentsAckary History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Ackary

What does the name Ackary mean?

The name Ackary reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Ackary family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ackary family lived in Saultchreveuil on the Cotentin peninsula, Normandy. Also, known as Sacheverell, there is no clear record of the family's migration to England. 1

Early Origins of the Ackary family

The surname Ackary was first found in Derbyshire where "the family held a fief in Derby from the barony of Chaurces. In the thirteenth century, Patricius de Saucheverel held one knight's fee at Sallow and Hopwell,Notts and Derby." 2

"Ralph Sacheverel of Hopwell in Derbyshire, and his son John, were among the esquires who, in 1474 bound themselves by indenture to serve William Lord Hastings in peace and war. John married Joan, sole heiress of William Zouche of Bulwich, who brought him Morley, the principal seat of his descendants ; and was knighted by Richard III. before the battle of Bosworth, in which he was slain. His younger brother Richard obtained an estate in Notts. " 1

After the attainder of Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, Ratcliffe-on-Soar came to Sir Richard Sacheverel, who left it to Ralph Saclieverel, his brother or near kinsman; in which name and family it continued till Henry Sacheverell, the last owner there, estated the same on Sir Thomas Hutchinson, his sister's son." 1

The name, abbreviated to Cheverel, is of very old date in Dorsetshire, where they were seated at East Stoke and at Chantmarle-the latter place acquired through an heiress in the time of Henry VI.

Early History of the Ackary family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ackary research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1250, 1596, 1638, 1651, 1662, 1674, 1689, 1691, 1714 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Ackary History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ackary Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ackary include Secheral, Secheveral, Secherreveral, Secherevarral, Secheverall, Secheverrall, Sacheveral, Sacheverral, Sacheverall, Sacheverell, Sacheverel, Sacheverrall, Sachaverral, Sacherrevall and many more.

Early Notables of the Ackary family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Sacheverell (1638-1691), an English politician from Derbyshire where he inherited large estates from his father; and his son Robert Sacheverell who represented the borough of Nottingham in six parliaments. Henry Sacheverell (ca. 1674-1724), was a political preacher, son of Joshua Sacheverell, rector of St. Peter's Church, Marlborough, Wiltshire. He was fifteen when he matriculated at Oxford in 1689. He claimed to be connected with the Sacheverells of New Hall, Warwickshire, and of Morley, Derbyshire, and his claim was admitted by some of them, but the connection has not been made out. It is...
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ackary Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ackary family to Ireland

Some of the Ackary family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ackary family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Ackarys to arrive on North American shores: William Secheral who landed in North America in 1779.


Contemporary Notables of the name Ackary (post 1700) +

  • Margaret Ackary Stone AO (d. 2021), Australian judge who served on the Federal Court of Australia, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security from August 2015 until her retirement in August 2020


The Ackary 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: En bon foy
Motto Translation: In good faith.


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook