If your name is Ancell, you have an interesting Ancell family history. For centuries, most people used only one name to identify themselves. As the population began increasing, the need for more identification also became increasingly apparent, especially in small towns, clans, and villages where perhaps 1/3 of the males were named James or some other popular name.

And so to distinguish one James from another, a second name was desired. The four main sources for these names were: 1) a man's occupation or trade, such as Cook, Tanner, or Hunter. 2) his father's name, Robertson, Jackson, or Davidson. 3) his locale, such as Jesus of "Nazareth," Thomas "Uphill," or William "Groves." 4) even his characteristics or looks might be used, i.e. James Legg, William Redman, or John Fox.

Sometimes extra identification was needed for certain groups. The fighting men of the Middle Ages were known to wear a metal suit of armor for protection. More than likely, this same suit of armor included a helmet that completely covered the head, making the warrior unrecognizable.

To prevent a friend from attacking his ally during battle, it became very important for each knight to somehow identify himself. Many fighters accomplished this by painting colorful designs on their shields.

These same designs were also sewn into cloth surcoats which were placed over a fighter's suit of armor, giving him his family crest or what is known as the "Coat of Arms." The Ancell's wore theirs into battles in which they engaged.

To prevent duplication of the patterns, records were kept that granted the privilege of wearing a certain crest to a particular fighter and this right was extended down to his family. Many times these patterns were recorded in ancient record books.

So where did the Ancell family name come from? Let's begin at the beginning. From all of the records on hand, it would appear that the Ancell family descended from the Norman race. It was thought the family derived from French origin but they were actually of Viking descent.

The year 870 A.D. shows the Vikings landing in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland under their leader, Stirgus the Stout. In 910 A.D. under their Earl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France. When Rollo laid siege to Paris, the French King, Charles the Simple, finally conceded to defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the so called new territory of the North men. Rollo married the daughter of Charles and eventually converted to Christianity.

In 1066 Duke William, a descendant of the first Duke of Normandy, invaded and defeated England. In 1086 he took a census of most of England and recorded it in the Domesday Book. It became the authority, the point of departure, for the ownership of land in England. A family name capable of being traced back to this document, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The research from many ancient manuscripts and documents shows the first record of the name of Ancell to be found in the English county of Kent, where they were granted lands shortly after the Norman Conquest by King William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. It is thought the Ansell (Ancell) family descends from a Pierre Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, Ansell being the shorter version of the name taken on by most branches of this noble Norman family who accompanied the Conqueror into England.

The Ancell name emerged to a notable family name in the county of Bedfordshire where they had moved from Kent soon after the Conquest. Records show they were granted lands in the town of Barford, which became their family seat and they also held estates in Middlesex. Many of the estates were forfeited to the crown when the family fell out of favor with the Royal Court in the Middle Ages.

In the 12th century many Norman families moved to Scotland, following the train of Earl of Huntingdon, who would later become King David of Scotland. The surname Ansell contributed much to local social and political life and to the affairs of England.

In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, England and Scotland were ravaged by the religious and political conflict which brought about many injustices to the people. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religion was divided by the Church of State, the Roman Church and the Reform Church.

Each faction, in its time, imposed its influence, assessments, tithes and penalties on the rich and poor alike. The spirit of the people were broken forcing many to turn away from the church.

Loyalties were engineered, marriages were arranged to acquire greater possessions, estates and influence at court. Many families were encouraged to migrate to Ireland, or to the Colonies. Non believers and dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.

The unrest caused many to think seriously of migrating to distant lands. The rumors and stories of the attractions of the New World spread throughout the world. Many immigrants sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships known as the white sails which plied the stormy Atlantic seas.

These overcrowded ships were pestilence ridden, with sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, decimated by illness and the elements.

Ancell? Ansell? Anseline? Well, what's in a name? Whatever the variation in spelling we are all still from the same family. In North America, migrants which could be considered kinsman of the family name of Ancell included Edward Ansell, settled in Nevis in1663; Elizabeth Ansell settled in Virginia in 1685, age 17; Claude Anseline, settled in New Orleans in1719; David Ansell, settled in Philadelphia in 1752 and then moved westward: Edward Ancell settled in New York then on to Calvert county, Md.

Information from Apprentices Of Virginia 1623-1800; Harlod B. Gill, Jr.; Ancestry; ISBN -916489-40-X: page 9: shows us 2 Ancell surnames:

Angell, James, Master: Adkins John Beginning Date: 10/16/1761 Sex: male Father: Angell, Robert (deceased) Source: Lancaster Co. Orders 11, 1756-1764, 348, Occupation: carpenter, Ending date: unspecified, Race: white

Ansell, James, Master: Archdeacon, James, Beginning Date: 2/21/1764, Sex: male, Father: Ansell, William (deceased) Source: Princess Ann Co. Minutes 8, 1762-1769, 72, Occupation: mariner Ending date: unspecified, Race: white

As one researches the Ancell family name, various spellings emerge. Some of the surnames were spelled Ansell, Ancelle, Anselm, Anselme, Anstrell, Aunselme, Anscell, Anstell, Anstel, Anstill, Anscill, Ansill, Ansstell, Anschell, Anschel, Anstrelly, Anstrel, Anscrell, Anskell, Anstall, Hanstell, Hanstall, Hanstrel, Hansell, and Hansall.

Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it personally sounded to them. There have been cases where a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a tombstone which showed another. Spelling variations would change from father to son, or others would just decide to change the spelling to please themselves.

Our bloodline stems from Edward Ancell, who was born in Oxfordshire in Oxford County, England, Oct. 4, 1748.

It is told that he was strongly encouraged to leave England for having relations with a woman of higher stature. His thoughtful mother sewed silver on his jacket as buttons so he would have money when he arrived in the new world. He landed in New York, as did many immigrants and made his way to Calvert County, Maryland.

Serving out his apprenticeship as a mason, he worked for the Catterton Family helping and burning brick to build homes. As time went on he built the house of his employer and married his daughter, Sarah Catterton.

In April of 1779 Edward purchased 200 acres on Taylor's Run in Orange County, Virginia where he and Sarah resided and had 10 children, (7 boys and 3 girls).

When Edward died in 1832 and he left all his belongings to his wife, children and their descendants. The following reading is his will and testament which is recorded in Orange County, Virginia Will Book 7, p. 451.

"In the name of God Amen. I Edward Ancell of the County of Orange and State of Virginia being in a weak and infirm but of sound sense and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of life the certainty of death, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following: and first I bequeath my soul to God who gave it to me hoping at the general resurrection to receive forgiveness for all my sins and for what world goods it hath pleased God to bless me with. I give and bequeath in the following manner: Item, I lend the whole of my estate both real and personal to my loving wife Sarah during her natural life and at her death I lend the land whereon I now live to my daughter Mary and my son John, to be enjoyed by them during each of their single estate. Item, my will and desire after my wife's is that my son John should have my Negro man Harry and my dark bay horse to him and his heirs forever. Item, my will and desire that the balance of my estate not already given nor loaned away should be sold on twelve months credits, the purchaser giving bond and approved security and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided in ten parts after my just debts are paid giving one part to my daughter Ann Marshall, one part to my son Henry Ancell's children, one part to my son Robert Ancell's, one part to my son Edward Ancell, one part to my son William Ancell's children, one part to my son Michael Ancell, one part to my son James Ancell, one part to my daughter Elizabeth Lacy, one part to my daughter Mary Ancell, one part to my son John Ancell, to them and their heirs forever. Item, My will and desire is after the marriage of my daughter and son John Ancell the land that I lent them is to be sold and divided as hereafter directed. Lastly I appoint my son Michael Ancell and John Ancell whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament, revoking all other will or wills heretofore make by me, acknowledging this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of December, 1831.

(signed) Edward Ancell

Witnessed by Jn. Mallory, Charles Parrott, & William Catterton, Proven and recorded March 26, 1831.

Edward Ancell married Sarah Catterton who was born in Calvert Co., Md., Nov. 15, 1755. He died in 1832;
Children of Edward and Sarah (Catterton) Ancell:
I. Nancy Ann Ancell, m. Thomas Marshall, Dec. 27, 1803 in Orange Co.
2. Henry Ancell, m. Nancy Beazley, Dec. 31, 1801, in Orange Co.
3. Robert, m. Frances Pearson, Sept. 6 (or Aug. 27) 1804 in Orange Co.
4. Edward Catterton Ancell, m. Ann Winn, Aug. 30, 1813, in Fluvanna Co., Va. (This is our bloodline)
5. William Ancell
6. Michael Ancell, m. Nancy Williams, Dec. 23,1816
7. James Ancell, m. Frances Estes
8. Elizabeth Ancell, m. Allan R. Lacy, Oct. 21, 1816, in Orange Co.
9. Mary Ancell
10. John Ancell

THIS IS OUR BLOODLINE
Children of Edward Catterton Ancell and Ann Winn;
1. Thomas Winn Ancell, b. April 24,1815 d. March 30,1885 m. (1) Mildred M. Moon (this is our bloodline) (2) Elizabeth Duvall
2. Lucetta Todd Ancell, b. May 17,1817
3. Frances William Ancell
4. Edward James Ancell, b. Oct.16,1818 d.1852 (single)
5. William Henry Ancell, b. Nov.12,1822 m. Adeline Cleveland Nov.24,1853
6. Elizabeth Ann Ancell, b. Aug.12,1825
7. Benjamin Franklin Ancell, b. June 6, 1828 d. May 30,1864
8. John Jay Ancell, b. Sept 21,1831 d. March 3,1894

THIS IS OUR BLOODLINE
Thomas Winn Ancell was born April 24, 1815 in Fluvanna, VA, and died March 30, 1885 in Doddridge, WV. He married (1) Mildred M. Moon December 02, 1845 in Albemarle, VA. He married (2) Elizabeth Duvall About 1872.
Children of Thomas Ancell and Mildred Moon:
1. Natheniel Moon Ancell, b. 1847.
2. Edward Catterton II Ancell, b. 1849.
3. William Henry Ancell, b. February 20, 1852.
4. Thomas Winn II Ancell, b. September 09, 1854.
5. John Franklin Ancell, b. 1859. (this is our bloodline)
Children of Thomas Ancell and Elizabeth Duvall are:
6. Nancy A. Ancell
7. Benjamin Anderson Ancell, b. May 11, 1874.
8. Frank Lee Ancell, b. October 17, 1879.

THIS IS OUR BLOODLINE
John Franklin Ancell was born in 1859 and died in 1919 in West Virginia. He married (1) Martha day who died in 1895 and her sister (2) Virginia Children of John Franklin Ancell and Martha Day:
1. Clarence Ancell, m. Mary
2. Emmett Ancell, m. Rose
3. Freda Ancell, d. age 16
4. Charles Ancell, m. (1) Madge (2) Maude
5. Homer Ancell, m. (1)Lena (2) Jerri
6. Nellie Grace Day Ancell, b.1893 d.1957 m. (1) William Thomas (2) Osbern Andrew Rexroad (this is our bloodline)
7. John Ancell, b.1895 d.1895 during childbirth along with mother Martha

THIS IS OUR BLOODLINE
Nellie Grace Day Ancell was born in 1893 and died in 1957. She married (1)William Thomas who was born in 1889 and died in 1913 (2) Osbern Andrew Rexroad born Aug. 17, 1894 and died May 1,1963.
Children of Nellie Grace Day Ancell and William Thomas:
1. William Walter Thomas, b. Oct.3, 1913 d. Feb.22, 1989
Children of Nellie Grace Day Ancell and Osbern Andrew Rexroad:
2. Juanita Rexroad, d. April 9, 1989
3. Gertrude Rexroad
4. Genevieve Rexroad, d. Aug.8, 1963
5. Oscar Rexroad, b. June 16, 1926 d. March 1929
6. Ancell Rexroad, b. March 19, 1928 d. March 1929
7. Marcella Rexroad, b. Aug.1, 1931 (twin) d. 1974
8. Samuel Day Rexroad, b. Aug. 1, 1931 (twin) (this is my bloodline)

THIS IS OUR BLOODLINE
Samuel Rexroad was born August 1, 1931 and Alma Jean Shope was born September 25, 1933, they were married September 21, 1952.
Children of Samuel Day Rexroad and Alma Jean Shope:
1. Michael Lee Rexroad b. July 1, 1953
2. Cynthia Lou Rexroad b. Sept. 14, 1954
3. Gregory Alan Rexroad b. Oct. 15, 1955
4. Kevin Terrance Rexroad b. Feb.12. 1966

Here is some suggested reading for more history:
Harleian Manuscripts-MS 1097, 1390 1531, 2109, 4600, 5186 (located in a British museum)
The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 by the conqueror
Hastings document
The "Magna Carta Barons"
"Ansell, History of the Name",1086-1660, by J.E. Ansell printed by Adlard in 1929
The Ragman Rolls
The Wace Poem
Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey
Curia Regis
Pipe Rolls
Falaise Rolls
Family Tree Maker

This completes the Ancell family records based on the information I have collected to date. None of this is set in stone. Typos in names, spelling, and dates are possible since several sources were used in creating this report. May you find this information delightful, educational, and informative.

Michael Lee (Ancell) Rexroad

                       website http://www.wildflowerswv.com    email wildflowerswv2000@yahoo.com 

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