| ![Show Contents]() Ayker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of AykerWhat does the name Ayker mean? This surname was derived from the Saxon name "Acca" or from Castle, South or West Acre in Norfolk which literally meant "dweller by the plot of arable land," 1 or "newly cultivated land." 2 Alternatively the name "signifies the place of oaks, or oak—man; ac and ake being old terms for oak. Like oak, the first Acker might have been firm and unyielding in his disposition, or he might have used or sold acorns." 3 Today we get the name acre denoting a unit of land equal to 4,840 square yards. Early Origins of the Ayker familyThe surname Ayker was first found in Castle, South or West Acre in Norfolk, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Acre. 4 We must look to Sussex to find the first record of the family, for it is there that William del Acr was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1214. Later, London records show Adam de Acres in 1346. 1 Early History of the Ayker familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ayker research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ayker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ayker Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Ayker has undergone many spelling variations, including Acker, Ackers, Ackhurst, Ackerson, Acaster, Ackaster, Akaster, Akester and many more. Early Notables of the Ayker familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ayker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ayker familyTo escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. 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 Ayker were among those contributors: Henry Acker who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1732; Jacob and Michael Acker landed there in 1737; Louis Acker settled in New York State in 1820.
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: La liberte
Motto Translation: Liberty.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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