The surname of ANKERS was an occupational name 'the anker' an anchorite or hermit. The name was derived from the Old French 'anchier' and brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066. Many of the early names recorded in medieval documents denote noble families but many also indicate migration from the continent during, and in the wake of, the Norman invasion of 1066. There was a constant stream of merchants, workmen and others arriving in England during this time. In 1086 the Record of Great Inquisition of lands of England, their extent, value, ownership and liabilities was made by order of William The Conqueror. It is known as the Domesday Book.

Geoffrey Chaucer (1345-144) the English poet, wrote of the name 'Sometimes I am religious, Now like an anker in a hous'.

Early records of the name mention Anker de Fressenvill who was recorded in the year 1208 in County Northumberland. Alice Anker, appears in 1395 in County Nottingham. John Ankere of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Baptised. Edward John Anchor, St. Dionis Backchurch, London in 1674. Mary Anchor (a poor child) was buried at St. Michael, Cornhill, London in 1717. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but they were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) that it became common practice for all people. It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way.