This long-established surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a topographical name from residence by a plot of arable land, deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century "aecer", cognate with the Old High German "acdkar", ploughed field, cultivated land, which became "acker" in Middle English. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognizable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages.
Early examples of the surname include: Bartholomew de Acre, or Akers, bailiff of Norwich (1282); Adam de ACres (the London Calendar of Letter Books, dated 1346; and Johannes Acrys, entered with Roger Acres in the 1379 Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns Records. The first example quoted may also be specifically locational in origin from Castle, South, or West Acre (Norfolk). In the modern idiom the name has a number of spelling variations, ranging from Acres, Ackers and Acors, to Akers, Akess and Akker. On October 25th 1579, George Ackers and Jane Raynforth were marired at Farnworth near Prescot, Lancashire. A Coat of Arms granted to the Ackers family is a silver shield with three gold acorns, husked green, on a black bend, the Crest being a dove rising proper, in the beak an acorn of the arms, and the Motto: "La Liberte" (Liberty). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William del Acr', which was dated 1214, in the "Curia Regis Rolls of Sussex", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname akker is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of akker. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname akker is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of akker.
It is common for surnames like akker to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname akker provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname akker can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of akker. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname akker, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of akker developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname akker.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname akker, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about akker and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all akkers who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname akker were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname akker, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname akker who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname akker. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of akker are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of akker.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of akker, and at the same time, of surnames in general.