Show ContentsAngliss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Angliss is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a Englishman, so nicknamed for a person from England. The name Angliss comes from the Old English word "Englisc," originally used to describe the Angles as distinct from the Saxons. One document in referrring to a raid in 1541, mentions the attacking party were 'to the number of fifty-two Inglimen. The name was probably used to refer to "Non Welsh" in the border counties in that region, "Non-Celtic Scot" in the Scottish-England borderlands, and "Non-Dane" in the Danelaw regions.

Another source notes the name is "borne by numerous Norman families. Adam, Alexander, Alvered, Asceline, Bernard, Henry, Elias, Gaufrid, and twenty more, bore, 1180-95, the name of Anglicus in Normandy (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae). Twenty-four of the name of Anglicus are mentioned in 1198 The families of English or Inglis are all Norman. 'England’ is another form of Anglicus." 1

And finally we must include the following: " ‘English’, originally referring to Angles as distinct from Saxons, a meaning not to be considered for the surname. Inglis is a Scottish form denoting an Englishman as opposed to the Scottish borderer or the Celtic Scot, whilst the northern English probably referred to an Englishman living among Strathclyde Welsh. But the name was not confined to this district. In the Welsh border counties the name would be given to an Englishman in a preponderatingly Welsh community. For some generations after the Conquest an official distinction was made between Angli and Franci, the native, defeated English and the conquering Normans, and this may account for the name in Essex, Kent and Sussex, where it was probably at first derogatory. At the end of the 13th century l’Englois is found as a surname in Paris and this, given by Frenchmen in France, may well have been retained when the emigrant returned home. " 2

Early Origins of the Angliss family

The surname Angliss was first found in Herefordshire where Gillebertus Anglicus was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1171. 2 William le Englich was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Walter Ingeleys, Oxfordshire and Roger Ingleys was listed in the Writs of Parliament c. 1300. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Inglays as holding lands there at that time. 4

Further to the south in the parish of Whitstone, Cornwall, "the manor of Wadfast belonged to a family named L'Engleis, or English, so early as the reign of Edward III. " 5

One source claims there is good evidence that the family lived near Winkleigh Tracy, Devon. At one time, there were two castles, "but there is no trace of either now, beyond a couple of mounds, which may have been the foundations. It is quite possible that one of those 'castles' may have been the mansion at Up Holecombe, which Richard Inglish had the licence of the King to castellate about 1361, especially as one of the mounds above mentioned is very doubtful." 6

Early History of the Angliss family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Angliss research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1153, 1171, 1205, 1208, 1269, 1296, 1311, 1478, 1564, 1630, 1660, 1683, 1686, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1693, 1703, 1714, 1718, 1734, 1771, 1772, 1786, 1799, 1801, 1816, 1817, 1855, 1890 and 1942 are included under the topic Early Angliss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Angliss Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Angliss have been found, including Inglis, Inglish, Inglys, English, Englys and others.

Early Notables of the Angliss family

Distinguished members of the family include Archibald Inglis (b. circa 1630), an ordained minister, who was Rector of Glasow University from 1686-1689; Sir James Inglis of Cramond, who was created a Baronet in...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Angliss Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Angliss family to Ireland

Some of the Angliss family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Angliss migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Angliss, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Angliss Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Albert H. Angliss, aged 27, who settled in America from Melbourne, Australia, in 1912
  • Albert H. Angliss, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Melbourne, Australia, in 1921
  • Arthur M. Angliss, aged 40, who landed in America from London, England, in 1921
  • Ethel Angliss, aged 34, who immigrated to America from London, England, in 1921
  • Ruby Angliss, aged 31, who landed in America from Melbourne, Australia, in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name Angliss (post 1700) +

  • Dame Jacobena Angliss DBE (1896-1980), Australian philanthropist, arts supporter, and community worker
  • Sir William Charles Angliss (1865-1957), Australian businessman, politician and philanthropist


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital


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