Ankay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ankay

What does the name Ankay mean?

The surname Ankay is a patronymic surname created from the Middle English given name Hank.

Early Origins of the Ankay family

The surname Ankay was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1191 when Anke of Ankinton held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Ankay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ankay research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1290 and 1580 are included under the topic Early Ankay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ankay Spelling Variations

Spelling 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 Ankay have been found, including Hanks, Hankes, Hanke, Hank, Anke, Ankes, Hancke and many more.

Early Notables of the Ankay family

More information is included under the topic Early Ankay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ankay family

Families 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 Ankay, or a variant listed above: George Hanks, who was a servant sent to the "Foreign Plantations" of Virginia in 1676; John Hanks, who came to the Virginia Colony in 1690; Ann Hanks, who arrived in Georgia in 1738.