Ankers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

The distinguished surname Ankers first came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is derived from the Old French "anchier," meaning "anchorite" or "religious recluse," and was likely first bestowed as a nickname on someone with a reclusive or fanatically religious character.

Early Origins of the Ankers family

The surname Ankers was first found in the northern counties of England. After the Norman Conquest, natives of Normandy left their native land to settle in England; it is thought that the Ankers family is descended from a Norman settler who bore the name Anchier.

Important Dates for the Ankers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ankers research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1379, and 1395 are included under the topic Early Ankers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ankers Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ankers have been found, including Ankers, Anker, Ankier, Anchor, Annacker, Annercaw and others.

Early Notables of the Ankers family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Ankers family to Ireland

Some of the Ankers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ankers migration to the United States

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Ankers were among those contributors:

Ankers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jos. Ankers, aged 33, who landed in America from Manchester, in 1893

Ankers Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sophie Ankers, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States from South Moor Co Durham, in 1904
Thomas Ankers, aged 39, who landed in America from South Moor Co Durham, in 1904
John Henry Ankers, aged 37, who immigrated to America from Barrow, England, in 1910
Florence Ankers, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from South Shields, England, in 1911
Gertrude Ankers, aged 4, who landed in America from South Shields, England, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)