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Last Name Ankeny

What is the origin of the last name Ankeny?

The surname Ankeny is of English origin, derived from a place name in Cornwall, England. The name Ankeny comes from the Old English word "an", meaning "one", and the Cornish element "kne", meaning "hill". This suggests that the original bearers of the name lived near or on a solitary hill. Over time, the name Ankeny became a surname used to identify a person's ancestral or geographical origins.

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Ankeny

The meaning and origin of the last name Ankeny

The surname Ankeny is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Áki, meaning "ancestor" or "forefather," combined with the Old Norse word ey, meaning "island." This suggests that the name was originally used to denote someone who lived on an island inhabited by their ancestors. Over time, the name evolved into Ankeny and became a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Today, Ankeny is a relatively rare surname, mainly found in the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ankeny

The last name Ankeny is of American origin and is most commonly found in the United States. It is primarily concentrated in the states of Iowa, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. The surname Ankeny is rarely found outside of the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ankeny

- Ankeney - Ankinny - Ankenie - Ankeni - Ankeney - Ankenie

Famous people with the last name Ankeny

1. John Ankeny 2. Norma Ankeny 3. Tamara Ankeny 4. Megan Ankeny 5. Sydney Ankeny

Genealogical research on the last name Ankeny

The last name Ankeny is of English origin and is a habitational name for someone from Ankeny in Cambridgeshire, England. It can also be of Dutch or German origin, derived from the personal name Ana, with the suffix -ken, meaning "son of Ana." The Ankeny surname is found primarily in the United States, with significant populations in Iowa, Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois. There are many branches of the Ankeny family tree in America, and genealogical research may uncover connections to early settlers and prominent figures in American history.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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