Surname Nance - Meaning and Origin

Reimagining My Ancestry: Uncharted DNA Revelations through iGENEA

I underwent a DNA test at iGENEA to learn more about my ancestors, the Nances. The surprising results highlighted an unexpected Middle-Eastern heritage, a connection to the indigenous Sami people of Scandinavia, and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, influencing my self-understanding.

X. Nance

Nance: What does the surname Nance mean?

The surname Nance is of English origin and derives from the medieval given name "Annis" which itself is a variant of "Agnes". Agnes was a popular name during the Middle Ages, and it originates from the Greek name ‘Hagnes’, which means ‘pure’ or ‘holy’. Over time, Annis evolved into Nance, possibly due to confusion with the French word for Christmas "Noël". The surname Nance was first found in the county of Cornwall in England. It is possible that some families with this name have an earlier Celtic origin, as there is a place called Nance in Brittany, France, and the name would mean "valley" in the Celtic language. However, the exact origin and meaning can vary based on geographical origins and historical usage.

Nance: Where does the name Nance come from?

The last name Nance is commonly found in the United States today. The surname originates in England, with the earliest records of the name dating back to the year 1337. In the United States, the most common states where the name is found are Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and Kentucky.

Within the United States, the surname is most prominent in the Southeast. This is due to the significant migration of residents from the Southeastern states to the coast of Texas and Oklahoma during the mid-1800s. This relocation increased the population of Nances in these states, as well as states further inland such as Kansas and Nebraska.

In recent years, the surname has also spread to Canada. The cities of Calgary and Edmonton have a significant population of Nances, and the provinces of Alberta and British Colombia both boast a high number of Nance family lineage.

The Nance name remains relatively rare in comparison to more popular surnames such as Smith and Jones, but it is steadily growing in popularity in many areas of the United States and Canada. The surname is often thought to imply a strong, loyal, steadfast character, suggesting that the Nance family name has earned a valued position in modern society.

Variations of the surname Nance

Nance is an English patronymic surname, derived from the given name Nan or Nann, a thirteenth century diminutive of names such as Agnes and Ann. It began to be used as a surname in the 15th century. The most common modern variants of Nance include Nanse, Nans, Nances, and Naunce. Some other regional variants are Nauncke, Nanns, Nannce, Nauns, Naunce, Naunse, Nancey, Naunseys, Nansy, Nansie, Nancese, and Nansey.

Nance is an uncommon surname in Europe and North America, but is increasingly common in some countries, particularly in Scotland. The surname is also found amongst Caribbean and African American populations, likely derived from nineteenth century slave populations who were given the surname.

The surname has a range of spellings, some of which may have arisen due to regional and phonetic variations over time. Within the United States, differing spellings are found mainly in the South and certain areas of the Midwest. Nances is the most common spelling found in the Northeast, while Nancee is most common in the Southwest.

Nance is also sometimes used as a second surname in Scotland, with both first and second name being spelled the same way, for example James Nance. For the most part, the surnames Nance and Naunce, regardless of spelling, are generally of the same origin and denote the same family.

Famous people with the name Nance

• Larry Nance Jr.: He is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Sam Nance: He was an American jazz singer famous for singing the hit “Crazy” with Nat King Cole in the 1930s.
• Dee Nance: She is an American Poker Player and winner of two WSOP bracelets.
• Dwight Nance: He is an American voice actor known for his work on The King of Fighters and Final Fantasy.
• Joshua Nance: He is an American songwriter and music producer, best known for his work with Kelly Clarkson.
• Patty Nance: She is an American politician and the first female mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Ralph Nance: He is an American actor known for his roles in the films 12 Monkeys, The Beach, and The Big Kahuna.
• Hugh Nance: He is an American gospel musician and pastor of Old-Fashioned Revival Hour Church in Jefferson City, Missouri.
• Dean Nance: He is an American country music singer and the youngest son of country music pioneer Bob Wills.
• Barrie Nance: He is an American actor who has appeared in a variety of movies and television shows, including the television series The Sopranos.

Other surnames

NancekivellNancy