Show ContentsAikerod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Aikerod

What does the name Aikerod mean?

Aikerod is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. This Yorkshire surname is derived from the Old English words ac, which means oak, and rod, which means clearing. Collectively, the name literally means "dweller at the oak clearing."1 2

Early Origins of the Aikerod family

The surname Aikerod was first found in the West, East and North Ridings of the county of Yorkshire. "A well-known Yorkshire surname." 3

One of the first records of the family was Richard de Akerode who was listed in the Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Society.) 3

Hugo Aikroide was listed as a Freeman of York in 1612 as was Henry Ackroyd in 1645, and Henry Akeroyd in 1648. 2

A search through the Register of the University of Oxford revealed: John Acroyd, Yorkshire, 1612; Matthew Aickroid, Yorkshire, 1618; and Samuel Akeroyd, Yorkshire, 1619-1620.

The Eskrigge and Eskridge variants were found in the parish of Eskrigg in Lancashire.

Early History of the Aikerod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aikerod research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1569, 1624, 1685, 1687, 1688, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1696 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Aikerod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aikerod Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Aikerod has been recorded under many different variations, including Ackroyd, Akroyd, Ackeroyd, Achroyd, Aykroyd, Akrood, Eckroyd, Ecroyd, Akrode, Eckridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Aikerod family

Notables of the family at this time include Samuel Akeroyde, a native of Yorkshire who was a very popular and prolific composer of songs in the latter part of the 17th century. Many of his compositions are contained in the following collections of the period: 'D'Urfey's...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aikerod Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Aikerod family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Aikerod or a variant listed above: John Ackroyd who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1842; Reuden Ackroyd who also settled in Philadelphia in 1873; William Ackroyd who settled in Philadelphia in 1851.



The Aikerod 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: In veritate victoria
Motto Translation: Victory in Truth.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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