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.
Early History of the Ankers family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ankers research.
Another 197 words (14 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 128 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ankers family to the New World and Oceana
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 emigrated 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 emigrated to America from Barrow, England, in 1910
- Florence Ankers, aged 30, who emigrated 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.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Ankers (post 1700)
- Evelyn Ankers (1918-1985), well-known British-American actress
Historic Events for the Ankers family
- Mr. Vincent Charles Ankers, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and died in the sinking [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html