The name Delkey was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon
culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the baptismal name meaning the son of Dilk.
The surname was originally of Dutch origin and was brought into England
during the Norman Conquest
of 1066. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.
Early Origins of the Delkey family
The surname Delkey was first found in Warwickshire
. "Maxstoke Castle is the property of Capt. Thomas Dilke, R.N., a descendant of Sir Thomas Dilke, who purchased it in the 41st of Elizabeth from Sir Thomas Egerton, keeper of the great seal: the buildings occupy an irregular quadrilateral area, inclosed by an embattled wall, and defended at the angles by octagonal towers, and are in a fine state of preservation." CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Other early records of the family include: Geoffrey Dylle who was in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III), CITATION[CLOSE]
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print. and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Alan Dille in Cambridgeshire and Robert Dille in Buckinghamshire. CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Further to the north in Scotland, "Thomas dictus Dyll witnessed a charter by John Skinner, burgess of Inverness, c. 1360 and Marjorie dicta Dyll held land in Inuernys, 1361." CITATION[CLOSE]
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Early History of the Delkey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Delkey research.Another 48 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1635, 1624, 1624 and 1633 are included under the topic Early Delkey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Delkey Spelling Variations
Delkey has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred
years, spelling variations
in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Delkey have been found, including Dilke, Dilkes, Dilks, Dilley, Dill, Dillow and others.
Early Notables of the Delkey family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Roger Delk (Dilke, Delke, or Dilk) (died before 1635) English-born, representative for Stanley's Hundred
in the House of Burgesses. He traveled from England
to Virginia aboard the ship "Southampton" in 1624. He was... Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Delkey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Delkey family to the New World and Oceana
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England
, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Delkeys to arrive on North American shores: Clement and Mrs. Dilke who settled in Virginia in 1623; Mary Dilkill settled in New England
in 1767; Lawrence Dill settled in Summers Island in 1673; Adam, Adolph, George, John, Margaret, Nancy Dill arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..