Show ContentsAnon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Anon

What does the name Anon mean?

An ancient Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Anon. They lived in Dumfriesshire at Annan or Annandale.

Early Origins of the Anon family

The surname Anon was first found in Dumfriesshire where the first records of the family were "William de Anand [who] witnessed a grant of two camcates in the fee of Egilfechan to Robert de Brus, 1249, and John de Anand was cleric of William, bishop of Glasgow, 1255." 1

"A family of this name, prominent in Angus from at least the thirteenth century, derived their name from the lands of Inyaney or Aneny now called Ananias. In old records the place name appears as Annand, Annane, Annanie, Inyaney, Inieneny, Inyoney, Invanee, Inneane, and Inianey. Adam de Anand, canon of Dunkeld, who witnessed charters by Gamelin, bishop of St. Andrews, between 1255—1271, is perhaps first of the name recorded. He is probably A, de Anand, rector of Monimail, 1269. William de Anaund of Forfarshire rendered homage in 1296." 1

Early History of the Anon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anon research. Another 205 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1249, 1255, 1328, 1388, 1389, 1551, 1633, 1638, 1651 and 1689 are included under the topic Early Anon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anon Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Anon has been spelled Annan, Annand, Annandale, Annardale, Annadaill, Annane, Annanie, Inyaney, Innieney, Inyoney, Inyanee, Aneny and many more.

Early Notables of the Anon family

Notable amongst the family at this time was William Annand, Bishop of Glasgow in 1255; Henry Annand, Sheriff of Clackmannan in 1328, the town of Annan in Dumfriesshire took its name from the Clan; and William Annand (1633-1689), Dean of Edinburgh. Born at Ayr in 1633, "his father, minister of Ayr, was seriously assaulted by the Presbyterian women of Glasgow for...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Anon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Anon migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Anon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jean Anon, who arrived in New York, NY in 1663 2
Anon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Carlos Anon, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1860 2


The Anon 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: Sperabo
Motto Translation: I will hope.


  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. 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)


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