|
![Show Contents]() Akely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancestry of the name Akely dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. The surname Akely literally means oak-meadow. 1 The surname Akely is associated with the village of Acle in Norfolk, and the village of Akeley in Buckinghamshire. Early Origins of the Akely familyThe surname Akely was first found in Norfolk or Buckinghamshire. Of the two locations, Akeley (Akely) in Buckinghamshire seems to be the strongest place of origin for the surname. Located "in the union, hundred, and county of Buckingham, 2½ miles (N. by E.) from the town of Buckingham," 2 Akeley has remained small over the years as by the late 1800s, it only had a population of 362. 2 However, the parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Achelei. 3 Some of the family were found in Whitworth, Durham in early years. "According to the Boldon book, this manor was held by Thomas de Acley, by the service of a quarter of a knight's fee." 2 Early History of the Akely familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Akely research. Another 295 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1500, 1610 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Akely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Akely Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Akely have been found, including Ackley, Acley, Acle, Ackle, Aclie, Acklie, Acly and others. Early Notables of the Akely familyMore information is included under the topic Early Akely Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Akely familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Akely, or a variant listed above: Henry Ackerly, who sailed to New Haven, Connecticut in 1640. Also, Nicholas Acly who arrived in Connecticut in 1655; William Ackley in Virginia in 1664.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
|
