The Ancient History of the Most Distinguished Surname - Akerman
Scotland
Germany
Ancient Origins
The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Akerman. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a ploughman, a tiller of the soil, or a farmer. The name Akerman was originally derived from the Old German word Akermann, which literally means acreman.
Ancient History
While your recent ancestors and famous people bearing your surname may be known to you, it is often a family's distant past which fades into the unknown over the centuries. Research has shown that this surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin. Few cultures have had the lasting impact on English society as that of the Anglo-Saxons. The Akerman family history draws upon this heritage as the bearers of the name influenced and were influenced by the history of the English nation. Historians have carefully scrutinized such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 A.D., the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296), the Curia Regis Rolls, the Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents and found the first record of the name Akerman in Dorset where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor, some say before the Norman Conquest by Duke William in 1066 A.D.
Spelling Variations
Many different spellings of the surname were found in the archives researched. Although the spelling Akerman occurred in many manuscripts, from time to time the surname was spelt Akerman, Acreman, Ackerman, Akarman, Acherman and Ackarman, and these spelling variations were frequent, even between father and son. It was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname. By example, the famous playwright William Shakespeare signed his name with different spellings and legal documents added further to the possible variations. "Shakespeare," "Shakespere," "Shakespear," "Shakspere" and "Shaxspere" were all used in reference to this famous individual. Typically, scribes, church officials and the bearers of a name spelled words as they sounded rather than adhering to any spelling rules used today.
Early History
The Saxons were a Teutonic tribe originally from northern Germany who began to settle in England in about the year 400 A.D. Their first settlements were in Kent, on the south east coast. Gradually, they probed north and westward from Kent and during the next four hundred years forced the ancient Britons back into Wales and Cornwall to the west. They won territories as far north as Lancashire and Yorkshire, pushing the Britons into Cumbria and Southern Scotland. The Angles, another Teutonic tribe, occupied the eastern coast, the south folk in Suffolk, the north folk in Norfolk. The Angles sometimes invaded as far north as Northumbria and the Scottish border. The Angle and Saxon cultures blended together as they came to dominate the country. For hundreds of years England was comprised of five independent Anglo-Saxon kingdoms until unification in the 9th century. By 1066, England, under Harold, was enjoying reasonable peace and prosperity. However, the Norman invasion from France and their victory at the Battle of Hastings meant that the Anglo-Saxon landowners lost their property to the invaders. The Saxons were restive under Norman rule, and many moved northward to the Midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, where Norman influence was less pervasive. Rebellious Norman nobles frequently joined them in their flight northward. As peace was restored, the Akerman surname emerged as that of a notable English family in the county of Dorset. By the 12th century the family had branched to Surrey. In the Hundrendorum Rolls taken in the 13th century, the name was recorded as Akerman, Akermon, Acherman, Le Acreman, but this latter spelling does not necessarily signify a French origin. In Dorset the family became associated with the Newfoundland Fishing Company, and frequently sailed to the Grand Banks. Traditionally, two brothers John and Thomas were shipwrecked off the coast of Newfoundland and settled on the island at Fair Island and Trinity Bay. Meanwhile in England the family acquired a town mansion in London. The family also migrated to South Africa and became "landed gentry" of South Africa.
Early Notables
Distinguished members of the family include Ackerman of Dorset.
The Great Migration
Turmoil at home made the New World appear attractive to many families in England. They immigrated to Canada, the United States, Australia, and some moved to continental Europe. Members of the Akerman family risked the hazardous voyage to start a new life in new lands. This decision to emigrate was never made casually, for while there were hardships at home, the journey across the sea was so perilous that up to 40 percent of a ships' passengers would not reach their destination.
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. The coat of arms displayed here for the surname Akerman did not include a motto.
The Akerman
Tartan
Symbolism
The practice of representing people with symbols is ancient, and in England this habit evolved with feudal society into a system of distinctive devices on shields. The heralds developed an extensive armory that had the important function of distinguishing members of the upper class from each other, whether at court or on the battlefield. Since then, heraldry has grown into a complex field with many rules and a terminology that requires some knowledge to interpret.
Achievement of Arms
An Achievement of Arms such as the Akerman arms depicted on the left typically consists of these parts: the Escrolls, displaying the family motto and name, the family crest (if any) seen above the helmet, the actual Coat of arms (also known as 'arms,' or 'the shield'), the Helmet depicted below the crest, the Torse on top of the helmet, and the Mantle draped from the helmet. Each of these elements will be described below. Supporters were a later addition to the Achievement; they are somewhat rare, and are usually personal to the grantee.
The Mantle
The mantle was spread over and draped from the helmet and served as a protection, 'to repel the extremities of wet, cold, and heat, and to preserve the armour from rust.' The numerous cuts and slits suggest that it had been torn and hacked on the field of battle. The style or design of the mantling is up to the individual heraldic artist, and it is usually depicted in the main color and metal from the shield. The helmet (or Helm) varied in shape in different ages and countries, often depicting rank. The Esquire's Helm, as depicted here, is generally shown silver, with a closed visor and facing to the dexter (its right). On top of the helmet is a Torse or wreath which was formed by two pieces of silk twisted together. Its purpose was to hold the crest and mantle on the Helm.
Shield
Shields (or Escutcheons) at first were painted simply with one or more bands of color or 'ordinaries'. Later, the ordinaries were used in conjunction with other figures or symbols. The Coat of Arms for the surname Akerman can be described as follows:
Akerman Arms
Quartered, red and gold, at top left a man's sleeve, in bottom right an acorn sprig, at top right and bottom left, three dragons heads.
Quartered
The shield is divided into four equal quadrants. These are numbered from left to right as reading a book. Usually quartered arms are created when arms are inherited through an heiress. In this later case, the heiress Arms are typically in the 2nd and 3rd quarters with the heir's Arms in the 1st and 4th.
Red
Gules, derived from an Old French word goules or gueules meaning "throats" translates into modern English as "red" and is the military color for excellence and fortitude. It is symbolic of nobility, boldness and ferocity, and can also represent fire and summer. Some ancient laws restricted its use to princes and their families. Red corresponds to the metal copper and is denoted in engravings by numerous perpendicular lines.
Gold
"Or" (from the French word for gold) is the tincture of Gold, or in heraldic terms "or," was considered the noblest color. One of only two metals used in heraldry, it exceeds all others in value, purity and finesse. It represents the light of the sun, and was once borne only by princes. Gold is said to gladden the heart and destroy all works of magic. It is also associated with excellence and achievement, and the bearer surpasses all others in valor. It is represented on coats of arms by the color yellow, and in engravings by a dotted pattern.
Sleeve
The Maunch or Manche is a lady's sleeve of a very ancient pattern. It became used in heraldry from the custom of the knights who attended tournaments wearing their ladies sleeves, as "gages d'amour" in the lists. The Maunch was the symbol suitable for a man whose heart had been captured by of a fair maiden.
Acorn
The acorn, the seed of the slow growing oak tree, denotes antiquity, strength, and potential. Acorns were a symbol for life, fertility, and immortality in Medieval Scandinavian and Celtic cultures. The acorn can also indicate independence in its bearer. The acorn can be found slipped and leaved; the acornsprig is not uncommon as a crest; and acorn-caps may also be represented alone.
Sprig
The Sprig signifies fertility and abundance.
Three
"Three" devices, beasts or ordinaries of the same have a special significance in heraldry. First of all, there is the obvious reference to the Trinity in the design that would signify observance of the Christian doctrine. Secondly, with many Arms it brings balance that is steeped in tradition. To better understand this latter scenario, we must look at the evolution of shield in personal armory. Kite shields that were the most popular from the the 10th-14th century evolved into Heater shields that had flat tops c. 1250. This was the time of heraldry's beginnings and when "three" objects were used for balance in each corner of the shield. Later, with the advent of the "chief," "chevron" and "bend" three devices brought balance to these ordinaries too.
The Crest
The Crest was worn on top of the helmet, and was usually made of wood, metal, or boiled leather. It provided the double advantage of easy identification and the addition of height to the wearer. The Crest for the surname Akerman is described as follows:
A stag's head encircled by a wreath of oak.
Head
The Human Head stands for honor. After all, the Head is the center of knowledge, thinking and learning for the body. "The heads of 'blackamoors' or negroes generally refer to deeds of prowess in the Crusades."
Encircled
The terms involved or encirled indicate a serpent in a loosely coiled position.
Wreath
The Chaplet or Floral Chaplet is a wreath without stems or ribbon, made of oak, laurel or other leaves, and carrying flowers, usually roses. It is a symbol of fame and is frequently part of a crest. The Chaplet was originally an ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. There is also a Chaplet that looks like a plain, broad circlet, charged at four regular intervals with stars, roses or other objects. A Chaplet of Oak and Acorns is called a Civic Crown, but more frequently the Chaplet is synonymous with wreath or garland, which is commonly made of laurel and roses. "The Triumphal Wreath is composed of laurel leaves accompanied with berries. The laurel was consecrated by the Romans to Apollo. A laurel wreath was worn in token of victory by the Roman emperors during their magnificent triumphal entries into Rome. " (Guillim)
Oak
Oak is an emblem of virtue, strength, resiliency, longevity, and re-birth. In Norse mythology, the oak is associated with the thunder gods. The ancient Greeks and Romans revered the oak. Abraham's Oak, the Oak of Mamre, is thought to be on the spot where the bible states Abraham pitched his tent; thus the oak became a symbol of Christian worship. In the British Isles, the ancient Druids considered oak to have both medicinal and mystical significance. According to legend King Arthur's table was made from one gigantic slice of a very ancient oak tree. For centuries, an oak sprig was inscribed on English and German coins. Sprigs, branches, leaves, acorns as well as whole trees of oak are fairly common symbols in heraldry.
