The Annand or Annan surname has its roots in Scotland. It is associated with Dumfriesshire, a region in the southwest of Scotland.
One of my blog readers asked me to write about this rare Scottish name. Therefore, as part of my series on Scottish surnames, here is a breakdown of this name’s origin and history:
The origin of the Annand/Annan surname
This Scottish surname is topographical which means that it comes from a geographical location. Specifically, it comes from the River Annan (seen above), which flows through Dumfriesshire. The river’s name is believed to have Celtic origins, likely meaning “water” or “stream.” Some suggest it could also be linked to the Old English word “an,” meaning “solitary,” or “ann,” another word for a stream.
The Annan surname is also linked to the town of Annan and the Annandale region.
This region was historically controlled by prominent families, including the Bruces.
Robert the Bruce himself was granted the lands of Annandale before he became the King of Scotland, cementing the area’s importance in Scottish history.
The history of this Scottish surname
The Annand/Annan surname first appeared in the Scottish records in the mid-13th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is William de Anand, who, in 1249, witnessed a land grant to Robert de Brus. Another notable early record comes from Adam de Anand, a Canon from Dunkeld, who witnessed charters between 1255 and 1271.
This Scottish surname continued to pop up in historical land grants and contracts. For example, in 1296, William de Anaund of Forfarshire pledged allegiance. In addition, Henry de Anand served as sheriff of Clackmannan in 1328. The surname later found itself in Dundee, Aberdeenshire and Fife from the 15th century.
Clan or not?
I could not find any evidence to suggest that this surname was a member of a sept or clan. However, please get in touch if you know otherwise.
Variations of the Annan surname
Variations of the name appear in historical records with numerous spellings, such as Annand, Annane, Annanle and Anaund.
In fact, Annon is a variant of the Annan surname, commonly found in the United States.
Notable People with the Annan Surname
Although the surname Annand or Annan may not be as widely recognised as some others, there are several notable individuals who have made contributions in different various fields:
- Douglas Annand (1903–1976) was an Australian artist and graphic designer known for his murals and contributions to modern Australian graphic design.
- William Annand (1808–1887) was born in Halifax, Canada, and educated in Scotland. He became the 2nd Premier of Nova Scotia and later became editor of the Novascotian, Halifax’s most widely read weekly newspaper at the time.
- David Annand (born 1948) is a Scottish sculptor from Fife known for creating public sculptures across the UK.
- Kofi Annan (1938-2018) was the former UN chief and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Richard Annand (1914-2004) received the Victoria Cross in 1940 for his courage while attempting to rescue his fellow soldiers while being heavily outnumbered and under intense attack.
Conclusion
Like many Scottish surnames, this family name can now be found in communities across the globe. Scots who emigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries took the name with them to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where their descendants explore their Scottish roots.
So, if you happen to have the Annand or Annan surname in your family tree, then you carry a little piece of Dumfriesshire along with centuries of Scottish history.
Thank you for joining me on an another historical journey into a Scottish surname.
Please remember to leave a comment below and if you want me to write about a Scottish surname, then let me know.
Good luck with your Scottish family tree.
Until my next post, haste ye back.
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