Sackvil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

When the ancestors of the Sackvil family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Sussex. Their name, however, is a reference to Sauqueville, near the River Scie, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Sackvil family

The surname Sackvil was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Richard de Sachanuilla, de Sacheuilla was listed in Hertfordshire and Essex. 2

However, Lower claims the family originated in "a place in Normandy, now called Sauqueville, near the river Scie, in the department of the Lower Seine, about seven miles from Dieppe. Collins says, that the family were lords of the town and seigniory 'long before the Conquest.' The name was variously written De Salchevilla, Salkavilla, Saccavilla, &c. According to genealogists, the first of the family in England was Herbrand de Salchevilla, who came in with the Conqueror, while his kinsman, Jourdain de Salchevilla, was Sewer of England under the same monarch. " 1

And yet another source in an attempt to clear up this confusion, Reaney has the following entry: "Round's derivation of the Sackvilles, later dukes of Dorset, from Sauqueville (Seine-Inférieure) is accepted by Loyd. Their identification of the Essex Domesday Book under-tenant, of a different family, as coming from Secqueville-en-Bessin (Calvados) depends solely on the fact that the place is 11 kilometres from Ryes, the place of origin of Eudo Dapifer under whom he held. The early forms of Secqueville are Sicca Villa (1077), Secheville (1155), Secqueville (1217), which do not fit in with those of Sackville and probably survive as SETCHFIELD. Richard probably came, as suggested by Dupont, from Sacquenville (Eure), recorded as Sachenville (1195), Sakenvilla (c1210), Sackevilla (1220)." 3

Later in Essex, Simon Sakeuilla was found in Colchester, Essex in 1154. 3 The Hndreodrum Rolls of 1273 include: John de Sakewyle, Surrey; and Jordan de Sakeville, Suffolk. 4

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. lists Gwydo de Sakevill, Sussex, Henry III-Edward I; and Robert de Saccavill, Devon. 5

Early History of the Sackvil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sackvil research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1507, 1529, 1536, 1546, 1561, 1566, 1591, 1608, 1609, 1622, 1652 and 1677 are included under the topic Early Sackvil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sackvil Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Sackvil has been recorded under many different variations, including Sackville, Sackvile and others.

Early Notables of the Sackvil family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Richard Sackville (ca. 1507-1566) of Ashburnham and Buckhurst in Sussex and Westenhanger in Kent, an English administrator and Member of Parliament
Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (1536-1608), an English statesman, poet, dramatist
Robert Sackville, 2nd Earl of Dorset (1561-1609), an English aristocrat and politician
Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset KG (1591-1652), an English courtier, soldier and politician

Migration of the Sackvil family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Sackvils were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Thomas Sackville arrived in Philadelphia in 1805.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)