Show ContentsZanky History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Zanky family

The surname Zanky was first found in Lancashire where the Sankeys descend from a family of considerable antiquity. The first on record is Galdridus de Sankey, who held the lands of Sankey Manga and Sankey Parva in the reign of King John. 1 Later, William de Sankey was rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire from 1298 to 1299. 2

"The manor of Little Sankey was granted by Pain de Vilers, lord of Warrington, to Gerard de Sankey the carpenter, in the early part of the twelfth century. It was assessed as one plough-land and held by knight's service. In 1212 Robert son of Thomas was holding it; and thirty years later Robert de Samlesbury was the tenant. He or his descendants probably adopted the local surname; but little or nothing is known of the place until the end of the fifteenth century, when Randle, son of Randle Sankey, did homage and paid 10s. as his relief for one plough-land in Little Sankey. Edward Sankey died 1 December, 1602, holding the tenth part of a knight's fee in Little Sankey, Warrington, and Great Sankey; Thomas, his son and heir, was under sixteen years of age. Nothing further seems to be known of the family or manor." 2

Early History of the Zanky family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zanky research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1190 is included under the topic Early Zanky History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zanky Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Zanky include Sankey, Sanky and others.

Early Notables of the Zanky family

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

Ireland Migration of the Zanky family to Ireland

Some of the Zanky family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 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 Zanky family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Zanky were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Robert Sankey settled in Boston in 1635; Andrew Sankey arrived in Philadelphia in 1799; Ham Sankey settled in St. Christopher in 1635.



The Zanky Motto +

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: Sancta Clavis Coeli Fides
Motto Translation: Faith is the Sacred Key to Heaven.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].


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