Annal Family History

Probably in many cases a reduced form of Arnald; see Arnold and for the assimilation of -r- to the following -n- and loss of final [d] see Ennals. With the examples cited below compare Bessie Arnald 1571 in IGI (Dunfermline, Fife); Isabell Arnell 1681 in IGI (Saint Andrews and Saint Leonards, Fife); Thomas Arnold 1626 in IGI (Birmingham, Warwicks); Thomas Arnold 1763 in IGI (Well, NR Yorks); John Arnold 1585 in IGI (Chichester, Sussex); Tho. Arnold 1709 in IGI (Deal, Kent).

However, some of the bearers listed below may belong with (2). Alternatively, in Warwicks and Kent, the name could be a reduced form of Hanwell from Hanwell (Oxon) or Hanwell (Middx). A surname from the Oxon place-name is on record in Oxon and Warwicks since medieval times.

Compare John Hanwell 1607, William Anwell 1761 in IGI (Birmingham, Warwicks); Robert Hanwell 1573 in IGI (Borden, Kent); Sten Handwell 1582 in IGI (Willesborough, Kent); Xpo Handwell 1584 in IGI (Staplehurst, Kent); Mary Handwell 1600 in IGI (Sandwich, Kent); Will'm. Anwell 1629 in IGI (Ashford, Kent).

However, Anwell and Han(d)well may be hypercorrect expansions of Annall from Arnold in (1).