Show ContentsAckerey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ackerey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ackerey 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 Ackerey family

The surname Ackerey 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 Ackerey family

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

Ackerey Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Secheral, Secheveral, Secherreveral, Secherevarral, Secheverall, Secheverrall, Sacheveral, Sacheverral, Sacheverall, Sacheverell, Sacheverel, Sacheverrall, Sachaverral, Sacherrevall and many more.

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

Ireland Migration of the Ackerey family to Ireland

Some of the Ackerey 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 Ackerey family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Ackerey name or one of its variants: William Secheral who landed in North America in 1779.



The Ackerey 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)


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