Ackeray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Ackeray 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 Ackeray family

The surname Ackeray 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 Ackeray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ackeray 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 Ackeray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ackeray Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Secheral, Secheveral, Secherreveral, Secherevarral, Secheverall, Secheverrall, Sacheveral, Sacheverral, Sacheverall, Sacheverell, Sacheverel, Sacheverrall, Sachaverral, Sacherrevall and many more.

Early Notables of the Ackeray 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 Ackeray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ackeray family to Ireland

Some of the Ackeray 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 Ackeray family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Ackeray or a variant listed above: William Secheral who landed in North America in 1779.

The Ackeray 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.

Citations +

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
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)