Show ContentsAnnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Annett

What does the name Annett mean?

The current generations of the Annett family have inherited a surname that was first used hundreds of years ago by descendants of the ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Annett family lived in the lands of Arnott in the parish of Portmoak in Kinross (now part of the region of Tayside), where one of the first times the name was listed was in 1150 when Michael de Arnoth was mentioned.

Early Origins of the Annett family

The surname Annett was first found in the lands of Arnott in the parish of Portmoak, Kinross-shire. The first chief, recorded, Michael Arnott, held those lands about 1150. David, of Fifeshire, his successor was recorded in 1296 when he paid homage to King Edward 1st of England.

Early History of the Annett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Annett research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1400, 1497, 1498, 1502, 1536, 1600, 1608, 1639, 1652, 1680, 1693, 1743, 1744, 1769, 1890 and 1918 are included under the topic Early Annett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Annett Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Annett has been spelled Arnott, Arnot, Arnatt, Arnocht, Arnote, Arnett, Anetts, Arnette, Ernot, Ernott, Annett, Annetts and many more.

Early Notables of the Annett family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was David Arnot, C.R.S.A., (fl. 1497- c. 1536), Scottish canon regular and bishop from Arnot, Fife, Rector of Kirkforthar, Fife in 1497, Archdeacon of Lothian in 1498; Sir Michael Arnot, 1st Baronet (d. c. 1680) of Arnot in the County of Fife; and his son, Charles Arnot (d. before 1652) represented Kinross in the Scottish Parliament.Further to the south in England, Peter Annet (1693-1769)...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Annett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Annett family to Ireland

Some of the Annett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Annett migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Annett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Annett, (b. 1839), aged 22, British ploughman travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 1
  • James Annett, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Annett (post 1700) +

  • John Annett, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Delaware, 1972 2
  • Fred Annett, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 4th District, 2008 2
  • Bruce J. Annett, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1952 2


The Annett 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: Speratum et completum
Motto Translation: Hoped for and Fulfilled.


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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