A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Anns family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6743 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au soleil levant d'or, mouv. d'un tertre d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: les meubles de l'écu. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1824
Where the Anns Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Anns arms are recorded
The Anns arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1824.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Anns arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Anns Family in Germany
The family name Anns has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by the early nineteenth century. During this period, Bavaria was undergoing significant social and administrative changes as it transitioned into a modern kingdom. Families like the Anns were often tied to the land and local trade, living in small communities that relied on agriculture and regional craftsmanship. Because surnames were often derived from given names or local landmarks, the name likely evolved from a shortened form of a longer Germanic name or a specific geographic location within the Bavarian landscape. By 1824, the family was part of a stable population that navigated the shift from traditional feudal structures to a more organized civil society. These early ancestors contributed to the local culture and economy of their villages, helping to shape the identity of the region during a time of great growth and development.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. on a bend cottised or, three popinjays vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Anns Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Anns arms are recorded
The Anns 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 Germany when the Anns 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 Anns Family in England
The surname Anns is a patronymic name, which means it likely originated as a way to identify a person as the child of someone named Ann. While the name Ann is often associated with women today, in medieval England, it was sometimes used as a variant of older names or as a nickname. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Anns family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religion in Northern England, and families living there were often involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, living through the significant political and religious shifts that defined seventeenth-century England. The presence of the family in such a prominent city suggests they were likely integrated into the local community, contributing to the daily life and economy of the area long before the name spread to other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Anna
Derived from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning grace or favor.
This name
AnnsA patronymic surname indicating descent from an ancestor named Anna or Anne.
also spelled
Anz
Annes
Anse
Anne
Related arms
Annevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
