Show ContentsHannath History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Strathclyde Briton name Hannath is derived from the personal names Hannah and Anna. Another possibility is that it is a religious name, taken from that of Hannah, mother of Samuel. Most likely, however, given the family's Gaelic origins is that it was an anglicized version of the Gaelic "O hAnnaigh", meaning "descendant of Annach", a byname meaning "iniquity". 1

Early Origins of the Hannath family

The surname Hannath was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where in 1296, Gilbert de Hannethe residing in the county of Wiggetone at the time, rendered homage to King Edward I of England during his brief conquest of Scotland.

During the same year, a Gilbert Hahanith, who may or may not be the same man, was juror on an inquest concerning the succession to Elena la Zuche. The next appearance of the name is in 1424 when John of Hanna (a name that suggests that the name may have been taken from a place, rather than of Gaelic origin) was master of a ship belonging to James, King of Scotland. 1

Further to the south in England, Hannay or Hannah is a small parish, in the union of Louth, Wold division of the hundred of Calceworth, parts of Lindsey in Lincolnshire. 2

And East and West Hanney are in the union of Wantage, partly in the hundred of Ock, but chiefly in that of Wantage, in Berkshire. Both were traditionally in Oxfordshire. These parishes collectively date back to Saxon times when they were known as Hannige c. 956. There were listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, as Hannei and literally meant "island or land between streams, frequented by wild birds." 3

Early History of the Hannath family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hannath research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1620, 1629, 1630, 1658, 1673, 1689 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hannath History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hannath Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Hannath has been spelled Hannah, Hanna, Hannay, Hanney and others.

Early Notables of the Hannath family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Gilbert Hannah of Wigtown; Sir Robert Hannay, 1st Baronet (d. 1658) of Mochrum in the Stewardry of Kirkcudbright; Sir Robert Hannay, 2nd Baronet (d. 1689); and Patrick Hannay (died 1630?) was a Scottish poet and courtier from the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. He "was probably the third son of Alexander Hannay of Kirkdale in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. His grandfather...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hannath Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hannath family to Ireland

Some of the Hannath family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hannath migration to the United States +

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them:

Hannath Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Hannath, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 4
  • John Hannath, aged 26, Dutch settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Thuringia" in 1871 5
  • Laura Hannath, aged 24, Canadian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Nevada" in 1871 5
Hannath Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • C. J. Hannath, aged 60, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Belgian Freighter" in 1943 5
  • Mary A. Hannath, aged 54, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Queen Mary" in 1951 5
  • Mary A. Hannath, aged 54, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Queen Mary" in 1951 5

Hannath migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hannath Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Hannath, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on December 14, 1835, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 6
Hannath Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. R. J. Hannath, British settler who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Balranald" in 1922 7


The Hannath 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: Per ardua ad alta
Motto Translation: Through straits to heights.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  6. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1835 with 132 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1835
  7. National Records Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au


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