Ansell Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Ansell Origin:

England, Germany

Origins of Ansell:

This old and interesting name is of Old Germanic source, from a particular name combination of the components “ans,” which means god, and “helm,” which means head protector, helmet. The name is especially related to the northern, Lombardy, an area of Italy, and was famous all over the country as Anselm. The given name first brought into England by St. Anselm (1033 – 1109), a priest of Canterbury, who was a Lombard by birth. Although it was never famous with the English, the specific name formed many kinds of surnames, ranging from Ansell, Anshell, and Ansill, to Hansel(l), Hansill and Hancell, and the shortened form Anslyn. The surname was first noted at the end of 12th Century, and the recordings contain a Roger Aunsel in the year 1271 in Staffordshire, William Ansel in the year 1279 in Cambridgeshire and William Hansell in the year 1495 in Yorkshire. The wedding of Thomas Ansell and Gwynne Jones noted at St. Giles’ Cripplegate, London, in May 1588.

Variations:

More common variations are: Answell, Anssell, Anselle, Ansello, Ainsell, Ansel, Ansiello, Anasella, Anisello, Ainselly.

England:

The surname Ansell first appeared in the English district of Kent where they gave lands soon after the Norman invasion by King William, the invader in 1066 AD. The family was considered to descend from Pierre Anselm, priest of Canterbury, Ansell being the abbreviation picked by most sections of this noble Norman family who guided the invaders into England.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Petrus Anselmus, dated about 1192, in the “Pipe Rolls of Sussex.” It was during the time of King Richard 1st, who was known to be the “Richard the Lionheart,” dated 1189-1199. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Ansell had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Ansell landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Ansell who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Edward Ansell settled in Nevis in 1663. Elizabeth Ansell who settled in Virginia in 1685.

People with the surname Ansell who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Sarah Ansell landed in Virginia in 1701. Peter Ansell, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752.

The following century saw much more Ansell surnames come. Some of the people with the name Ansell who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included John Ansell landed in New York in 1833.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Ansell who landed in Australia in the 19th century included James Ansell arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Bolivar” in 1850. Elvira Louisa Ansell and Stella Ann Ansell, both arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Wellington” in the same year 1851. James Ansell arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship “Taymouth Castle.”

New-Zealand:

Some of the population with the surname Ansell who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included T F Ansell landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1844. Thomas Ansell arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Endymion” in 1873.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Ansell: England 5,974; United States 2,425; Australia 1,471; South Africa 1,114; Canada 661; New Zealand 509; Scotland 368; Wales 350; France 122; United Arab Emirates 84.

Notable People:

Alfred Ansell (1876–1941), was a New Zealand political leader.

Barbara Ansell (1923–2001), was a British specialist.

Bryan Ansell (active from 1979), is a British war game developer.

Cameron Ansell (born 1992), is a Canadian voice actor.

Caroline Ansell was an old British Party leader and representative of Parliament (MP) for Eastbourne since 2015.

Charles Ansell (painter) (born 1752), was an English artist.

Charles Ansell (1794–1881), was a British actuary.

David A. Ansell (born 1952), is an American writer.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Gu. a bend fusilly or. Crest—A demi lion ppr. ducally gorged and chained or.
2) Erm. on a fesse gu. three cresents or.