Annis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Annis is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from the personal name Agnes, which itself is derived from the Greek name Hagne, which means pure and holy. The name was also used in the Latin phrase Agnus Dei, which means lamb of God. The personal name Agnes was popularized by devotees, the early Christian martyr, Saint Agnes. 1
The name could have been an occupational name as one source notes it was "the old word for body-armour. Hence Lightharness, and the French Beauhamois, or 'fair harness.'' 2
Early Origins of the Annis family
The surname Annis was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where the name was found as a forename and surname: Robert filius Harneis, Lincolnshire; John filius Hernici, Lincolnshire; Roger Herneys, Norfolk; John Harneys, Cambridgeshire; and Heme' de Stano, Suffolk. 3
The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Robert Arnys; Robertus Arnis; Johanna Ernys; and Robert Hernays. 3
The name is a "well-known Lincolnshire surname to-day, and found there six centuries ago." 3
Early History of the Annis family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Annis research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1384, 1402, 1790, 1804, 1825, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1832, 1834, 1850, 1854, 1855, 1869 and 1883 are included under the topic Early Annis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Annis Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Annis are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Annis include: Anniss, Anness, Arness, Annison, Arnison, Annes, Ennis and many more.
Early Notables of the Annis family
Notables of the family at this time include
- Dom João Anes (João Eanes), died 1402, bishop (since 1384), first Archbishop of Lisbon; Annis of Nottingham
Annis Ranking
In the United States, the name Annis is the 5,682nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4
Migration of the Annis family to Ireland
Some of the Annis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Annis migration to the United States +
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Annis or a variant listed above:
Annis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Robert Annis, who landed in Virginia in 1636 5
- William Annis, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 5
- Jane Annis, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 5
- Curmac Annis, who arrived in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1666 5
- Thomas Annis, who arrived in Maryland in 1679 5
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Annis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Charles Annis, who landed in Massachusetts in 1776 5
Annis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Mrs. Annis, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 5
Annis migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Annis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- Asa Annis, who arrived in Canada in 1841
Annis migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Annis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- C. Annis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Watson" in 1849 6
Contemporary Notables of the name Annis (post 1700) +
- Edward R. Annis (1913-2009), Florida surgeon
- Robert L. Annis, American musician and Dean and Director of Westminster College of the Arts of Rider University
- William Perley Annis (1857-1923), American 19th-century Major League Baseball outfielder
- Robert “Bob” Joseph Annis (1928-1995), American soccer defender
- Richard C. Annis, American politician, Candidate in primary for Circuit Judge in Michigan 17th Circuit, 1959 7
- Norman L. Annis, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 43rd District, 1940 7
- Foster V. Annis, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Bremen, Indiana, 1928-34 7
- Elmer L. Annis, American politician, Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Millsfield, 1956 7
- Charles H. Annis, American Republican politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives Fourteenth Essex District, 1923-24 7
- Billy Annis (1878-1938), English football player
- ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Annis family +
- Mr. James E Annis (b. 1913), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Upton-on-Severn, Worchester, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 8
- Mr. Thomas Annis, British Petty Officer Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 9
Citations +
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque WILLIAM WATSON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849WilliamWatson.htm
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
- HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html