Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au saut. de gu.: au chef du même.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Annand family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. au saut. de gu.: au chef du même.”
The Annand arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The family name Annand is deeply rooted in the history of the British Isles, with its origins tracing back to the ancient lands of Scotland before spreading southward into England. The name is locational in nature, likely derived from the Annandale region in Dumfriesshire, where early settlers took the name of the local river to identify their lineage. By the turn of the 18th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. During this period, families often moved across the country to seek new opportunities in trade or agriculture, and the migration of the Annand name into Kent reflects the broader movement of people during the early modern era. These early ancestors in Kent were part of a growing society that relied on parish records and local community ties to document their lives, helping to preserve the name as it transitioned from its northern roots to the southern English landscape.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a chief and saltire gu. cantoned with two mascles, in the collar and base points az. and in the flanks a spot of erm”
The Annand arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
The surname Annand is deeply rooted in the history of northeastern Scotland, particularly within the region surrounding Aberdeen. The name is locational in origin, derived from the lands of Annand in the parish of Auchterless, which lies in the historic county of Aberdeenshire. By the mid-18th century, families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the city. During this period, Aberdeen was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Annands played their part in the daily life of the burgh. While the name is tied to specific geography, it also reflects the broader movement of people across the Scottish landscape as families settled into towns and cities to pursue new livelihoods. The presence of the family in Aberdeen by 1748 serves as a clear link to a long-standing lineage that helped shape the identity of the North East.
Derived from the Gaelic term for a river or water channel.

