Show ContentsAngas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Angas was first used as a surname among the descendants of the ancient Scottish people known as the Picts. It was a name for a person with great strength. The surname Angas was originally derived from the Gaelic word Aengus.

Early Origins of the Angas family

The surname Angas was first found in Fife, where one of the first records of the name was Serlo de Anegus who witnessed a composition anent the tithes of Strathylif in 1229. Other early records include: Eva de Anegos of the county of Forfare who rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England when he briefly conquered Scotland; William de Anegus who was a Scottish prisoner taken at Dunbar Castle in 1297; and Edward de Anegous and Laurence of Angus who were Scottish prisoners taken in the capture of Stirling Castle in 1305. "Michael of Angous, a Scotsman, in 1358, 'was foremost at the last capture of the town of Berwick by the Scots, and leapt over the walls the night it was taken' " 1

Early History of the Angas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Angas research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1297, 1305, 1350, 1358, 1391, 1890 and 1955 are included under the topic Early Angas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Angas Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Angas has been spelled Angus, Anguish, Anguis, Angos, Angas, Anegous, Anegos, Enguish and many more.

Early Notables of the Angas family

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

Ireland Migration of the Angas family to Ireland

Some of the Angas family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Angas migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Angas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Howard Angas, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Madras" in 1843 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Angas (post 1700) +

  • Caleb Angas (1782-1860), Yorkshire agriculturist who "in the East Riding, he was considered to be the best authority on farming" 3
  • William Henry Angas (1781-1832), English sailor missionary who was captured by a French privateer, and imprisoned for a 18 months, son of George Fife Angas 3
  • George Fife Angas (1789-1879), English businessman who was instrumental in establishing the Colony of South Australia by founding the South Australian Company and later emigrating to Australia to become a member of the first South Australian Legislative Council 3
  • Richard George Angas (1942-2013), British bass singer, best known for his work with the English National Opera
  • John Howard Angas (1823-1904), English-born, Australian pioneer, politician and philanthropist who emigrated to Austrlaia, the second son of George Fife Angas
  • George French Angas (1822-1886), English explorer, naturalist and painter who emigrated to Australia, the eldest son of George Fife Angas


The Angas 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: Fortis est veritas
Motto Translation: Truth is strong.


  1. 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)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MADRAS 1843. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1843Madras.gif
  3. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 17 Apr. 2019


Houseofnames.com on Facebook