A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Akeroyd family of England.
Reg. 2950 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a chev. erm. betw. three stags' heads erased ar”
YorkFoggathorpe · York, c. 1620
Where the Akeroyd Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Akeroyd arms are recorded
The Akeroyd arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Akeroyd arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of York.
Origin & History of the Akeroyd Family in England
The surname Akeroyd is a locative name that originated in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is derived from the Old Norse word "akr," meaning a field or acre, and the Old English word "royd," which refers to a piece of land cleared of trees for farming. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely settlers who worked to transform wild woodland into productive agricultural plots. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the family was well-established within the city of York. During this period, the family members were typically part of the emerging merchant and artisan classes who helped drive the local economy. Their presence in the city suggests that the family had transitioned from rural farming roots to playing an active role in the urban development and civic life of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Acer-rod
Old English for maple tree and a clearing or forest glade.
This name
AkeroydA topographical name for someone who lived in a clearing where maple trees grew.
also spelled
Akroyd
Ackroyd
Related arms
Ackroyd, or Ackeroydvariant spelling
Akroydvariant spelling
Arkroydvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Hey, David, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016
West Yorkshire Archive Service, Records of the Manor of Wakefield, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
