Danns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Danns

What does the name Danns mean?

The ancestry of the name Danns dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the valley or the dann. The surname often meant the dweller in the valley. 1

Alternatively the name could have been "derived from the name of an ancestor, 'the son of Daniel,' from nickname Dan. " 2

Early Origins of the Danns family

The surname Danns was first found in Sussex where Geoffrey atte Danne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. Later in Sussex, Simon Dann was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 1

Early History of the Danns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Danns research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Danns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Danns 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 Danns have been found, including Dan, Dann, Danne, Dans, Danns, Dannes and others.

Early Notables of the Danns family

More information is included under the topic Early Danns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Danns family to Ireland

Some of the Danns family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Danns family

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. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Danns, or a variant listed above: George Dan who settled in Virginia in 1655; John Dan settled in Barbados in 1678; Jacob Dann settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1870.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)