Hanna History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Hanna

What does the name Hanna mean?

The Strathclyde clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first people to use the name Hanna. It 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 Hanna family

The surname Hanna 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 Hanna family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hanna 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 Hanna History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hanna Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were hardly exact sciences in Medieval Scotland. Sound, rather than any set of rules, was the basis for spellings, so one name was often spelled different ways even within a single document. Spelling variations are thus an extremely common occurrence in Medieval Scottish names. Hanna has been spelled Hannah, Hanna, Hannay, Hanney and others.

Early Notables of the Hanna 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)

Hanna World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hanna is the 1,007^th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Hanna is ranked the 733^rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,292 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Hanna is the 873^rd popular surname with an estimated 4,524 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Hanna as 723^rd with 989 people. 7

Migration of the Hanna family to Ireland

Some of the Hanna 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.

Hanna migration to the United States +

Such hard times forced many to leave their homeland in search of opportunity across the Atlantic. Many of these families settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. The ancestors of many of these families have rediscovered their roots in the 20th century through the establishment of Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Among them:

Hanna Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Capp Hanna, who landed in Virginia in 1642 8

Hanna Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Robert Hanna, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1772 8

Hanna Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Hanna, aged 31, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Lawrence Hanna, aged 48, who landed in New York in 1812 8
Francis Hanna, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 8
Jessie Hanna, aged 18, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1820-1873 8
Samuel Hanna, who arrived in New York in 1831 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanna migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hanna Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Joice Hanna, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Lidia Hanna, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Mrs. Margaret Hanna, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Glenelg" departing from the port of Limerick, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 9
Ms. Margaret Hanna, aged 20 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "John Bolton" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 9
Miss. Mary Hanna, aged 6 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Aberdeen" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanna migration to Australia +

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

Hanna Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Hanna, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Michael Hanna, aged 36, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Lysander" 11
Michael Hanna, aged 36, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1851 11
Elizabeth Hanna, aged 32, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1851 11
Thomas Hanna, aged 9, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1851 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hanna migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hanna Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Hanna, (b. 1841), aged 21, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Flying Mist" arriving in Bluff, South Island, New Zealand on 25th August 1862, the boat sank whilst waiting in port. 12
Thomas Hanna, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Annie Wilson" in 1863
James Hanna, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
Mr. Robert Hanna, (b. 1838), aged 25, British lime burner travelling from London aboard the ship "David G. Fleming" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9th December 1863 12
Agnes Hanna, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Canute" in 1867
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hanna (post 1700) +

Richard Louis Hanna (1951-2020), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York (2011-2017)
Roland Hanna (b. 1932), American Jazz pianist
John A. Hanna (1762-1805), United States Representative from Pennsylvania
Mark Hanna (1917-2003), American screenwriter and actor
William Hanna (1910-2001), American animator and co-founder of Hanna-Barbera
Charles Hanna (1889-1942), American politician
Harry T. Hanna, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
William Hanna (1808-1882), Irish theological writer, born at Belfast on 26 Nov. 1808, son of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Hanna [q. v.] 13
Samuel Hanna (1772-1852), Irish Presbyterian divine, born at Kellswater, near Ballymena, co. Antrim, about 1772
Mrs. Evelyn Elizabeth Hanna B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to the community in County Down 14
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hanna family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Robert Hanna (b. 1912), Irish Plumber 3rd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15

North Sea Flood

Jane Hanna, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

RMS Titanic

Mr. Mansur Hanna (d. 1912), aged 35, Syrian Third Class passenger from Kfar Mechi who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 16
Mr. Borak Suleiman Hanna, (Hannah Assi Borah), aged 27, Lebanese Third Class passenger from Hardîne who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 15 was incorrectly listed as Hanna Moubarek 15 16

USS Arizona

Mr. David Darling Hanna, American Electrician's Mate Third Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17

The Hanna 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.

Sources +

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
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)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 32)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Lysander.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html