This interesting name derives from either of two possible origins. Firstly the name may come from the Old Danish and Swedish personal name "Anund", of unknown origin. Its more likely source or origin lies in Scotland where it may be of locational origin from Annan in Dumfriesshire, or from the lands of Inyaney or Aneny, now called Ananias. The surname first appeared in Scottish records in the mid 13th Century (see below). The personal name was recorded earlier in the Domesday Book (1086) of Suffolk, and Essex as Anundus, Anunt, Anand and Anant. One Godefridus filius (son of) Anandi was mentioned in the 1182 Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire. Roger Anant appeared in the 1275 Hundred Rolls of Norfolk. In Scotland Adam de Anand, Canon of Dunkeld witnessed the charters by Gamelin, bishop of St. Andrews, between 1255-1271. One William de Anaund of Forfarshire rendered homage in 1296. Henry de Anand was sheriff of Clackmannan in 1328. The name developed a number of variant forms including those with the additive 'h'. Recordings of these 17th century forms include Edieth Hannond, christened at St Katherines by the Tower, London, on March 27th 1667, William Hannent at St Botolphs Bishopgate, London on March 13th 1703, and William Hannant, at St Dunstans Church, Stepney, on May 10th 1829. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Anand, which was dated 1249, witnessed a grant of two carucates to Robert de Brus, during the reign of King Alexander 111, "Ruler of Scotland", 1249 - 1286. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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