The surname Ansant 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]
The surname Ansant 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]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ansant research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1697, 1762, 1769, 1849, 1797, 1857 and 1857 are included under the topic Early Ansant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ansant were recorded, including Anson, Hanson, Ansen, Eanson, Ansin, L'Anson and others.
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 Ansant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Ansant family emigrate to North America: Wm. Anson, who came to Virginia in 1678; Richard Anson, who came to Maryland in 1681; Andrew Anson, who settled in America in 1749; George Anson, age 21, who arrived in Maryland in 1775.