McAninch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The west coast of Scotland and the rocky Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the McAninch family. The root of their name is the personal name Angus. The Gaelic form of the name, Mac Aonguis, translates as son of Angus. Angus refers to the Pictish King Onnust who died in the year 761.

While there are no direct links with this King in the history of the Clan or surname, there is a conjectural line, which may be adopted. The lands descended into the Barony of Innes in the County of Elginshire. However, the son or sons of Angus, originally from the Kingdom of Dalriada, were one of the three kindred houses, of the kingdom, the other two houses being the Gabran (the largest) and Lornetach which provided fighting men for the defense of the Kingdom of early Scots. For every twenty homes owned, they were obliged to provide two galleys, and so Angus, having 430 houses, provided a fleet of approximately forty galleys for the defense of the waters of Dalriada, generally those estuaries around the mouth of the Clyde.

Early Origins of the McAninch family

The surname McAninch was first found in Morven, their earliest known territory. In 1230, the Clan suffered from King Alexander II's campaign against Argyll. The Clan, however, retained their castle Kinlochaline, which stands upon strategic rock in Morvern. A massive castle by early standards, today it is in ruins.

Early History of the McAninch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McAninch research. Another 155 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1358 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McAninch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McAninch Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. McAninch has been spelled MacInnes, MacInnis, MacAngus and many more.

Early Notables of the McAninch family

More information is included under the topic Early McAninch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McAninch family to Ireland

Some of the McAninch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McAninch family

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first McAninchs to arrive in North America: Duncan McInnes, who settled in Philadelphia in 1798; Thomas and Helen McInnes, who settled in Boston in 1849; John McInnis who settled in South Carolina in 1716.

Contemporary Notables of the name McAninch (post 1700) +

Harold D. McAninch, American academic, 2nd President of College of DuPage, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois 1979, eponym of The McAninch Arts Center
Tom McAninch, American musician, known for his work on the French horn on Home for the Holidays, Glen Campbell's 52nd album
Bruce McAninch, Canadian bronze medalist wheelchair curler at the 2004 World Wheelchair Curling Championship

The McAninch Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: MacAonghais a-rithist
Motto Translation: Again MacInnes