A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Anness family of England.
Reg. 4112 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. a mullet ar. and a chief or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Anness Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Anness arms are recorded
The Anness arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Anness arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Anness Family in England
The family name Anness traces its roots to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time often took surnames based on their trade, their physical traits, or the specific neighborhoods where they resided. The name likely evolved from local dialects or variations of older names common in the Yorkshire region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the city, living through the significant political and religious shifts that defined seventeenth-century England. By staying rooted in such a prominent historical hub, the early Anness family members were positioned at the heart of the regional developments that shaped the local community for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Anna
Derived from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning grace or favor.
This name
AnnessA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Anne or Anna.
also spelled
Anis
Aniss
Ann
Anne
Related arms
Annvariant spelling
Annevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Hey, David, York: The Making of a City, 2013
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
