Ansom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Ansom is a baptismal name as in "the son of Anne", or the name could have been derived from one of the villages names North and South Anston in Yorkshire. Both villages date back to before the Domesday Book. They were listed there as Anestan and Litelanstan and were owned by Roger de Bully at that time. 1 In this case, the name Anston is thought to derive from the Old English ana + stan which meant "single or solitary stone." 2

Early Origins of the Ansom family

The surname Ansom was first found in Lancashire. However, another branch of the family was found since early times at the township of Shugborough in Staffordshire. "The family of Anson have been seated in the county for many generations. William Anson, having purchased the manor in the reign of James I., made it his principal seat; and here in 1697, the distinguished admiral and circumnavigator, Lord George Anson, was born. He was raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Anson in 1747. The vale of Shugborough owes many of its beauties to the late Viscount Anson, father of the present peer, who was elevated to the rank of Earl of Lichfield in September 1831." 3

Early History of the Ansom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ansom research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1697, 1762, 1769, 1797, 1849 and 1857 are included under the topic Early Ansom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ansom Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Ansom include Anson, Hanson, Ansen, Eanson, Ansin, L'Anson and others.

Early Notables of the Ansom family

Notables of this surname at this time include: George Anson, 1st Baron Anson (1697-1762), English admiral, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe; General Sir George Anson (1769-1849)...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ansom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ansom migration to Australia +

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

Ansom Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

W. Ansom, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Indian" in 1849 4

The Ansom 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: Nil desperandum
Motto Translation: Never despairing.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The INDIAN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Indian.htm