Ansent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Ansent 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 Ansent family

The surname Ansent 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 Ansent family

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

Ansent Spelling Variations

Ansent has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Anson, Hanson, Ansen, Eanson, Ansin, L'Anson and others.

Early Notables of the Ansent 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 Ansent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ansent family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Ansents to arrive on North American shores: 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.

The Ansent 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.