Ancil first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Ancil has been for the last 44 years (from 1974 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Ancil

An uncommon male name derived from English, with uncertain meaning.

Popularity of Ancil by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Ancil is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ancil.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 5 0
2015 5 0
1995 5 0
1994 5 0
1991 5 0
1988 5 0
1986 6 0
1985 5 0
1982 7 0
1981 5 0
1978 7 0
1976 6 0
1974 5 0

The history of the first name Ancil

The name Ancil is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "ancell," which means "hermit" or "recluse." It is believed to have originated in the 8th or 9th century, during the Anglo-Saxon period in England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ancil can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was in use among the English population during the Norman conquest.

Throughout history, the name Ancil has been associated with religious figures and those who lived a life of solitude and contemplation. In the 12th century, there was a hermit named Ancil who lived in a remote area of Hertfordshire, England, and was revered for his pious lifestyle.

One notable figure with the name Ancil was Ancil Grier (1826-1887), an American lawyer and politician from West Virginia. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1867 to 1871.

Another person of note was Ancil Hoffman (1879-1966), an American businessman and politician from Oklahoma. He served as the 11th Governor of Oklahoma from 1929 to 1933.

In the field of literature, there was Ancil Paterson (1913-1986), an Australian poet and writer known for his works exploring the theme of rural life in Australia.

The name Ancil has also been found in religious texts and records. For instance, in the 14th century, there was a monk named Ancil who wrote a treatise on the contemplative life.

While not as common today, the name Ancil has been carried through the centuries by various individuals, each adding their own unique contribution to the history and legacy of this ancient English name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ancil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ancil, please contact us.

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"Ancil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 15, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/ancil-meaning-and-history/.

"Ancil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/ancil-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 15 May, 2025

Ancil first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/ancil-meaning-and-history/.

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