The Nanny surname is variously spelled Nanne, Nanney Nanny, Nannay, Nanna. For simplicity I spell it Nanny, which seems to be the most common spelling. All are believed to derive from Nannau, a place in Wales pronounced NAN-eye /'n@n aI/. Starting around 1815 the name was changed to Anway by some brothers and a few cousins in New York before or during their move to Ohio. Some individuals in New york also changed their name. The reason given by my father, Percy Anway Edwards, was that they grew tired of references to nanny goats. This oral tradition is given by other ancestors as well; see notes by Mark Anway. Other reasons for the name change have been suggested; there is no direct evidence for any of them. My family has always known of the name change; it was not hidden.

Whether William Nanne was born in Wales or in America is uncertain. His ancestry may go back to John Nanney born 1596 in Nannau, Wales. An obituary of Norman J. Nanny (see notes under his name) states he is the descendant of a Captain John Nanny, who came to America from England to avoid imprisonment for participating in the rebellion against Charles I (King of England 1625-49). The rebellion started about 1640 and was resolved with Charles' execution in 1649. Mark Anway states that this John Nanny landed at or near the Roanoke river in VA.

I have attempted to record all descendants of William Nanne, based on previously published studies of his descendants, particularly those by Mark Anway, Judith Anway Crandall, unpublished work by my brother Kenneth which was my starting point, and working with various online sources of information, particularly the census and contributed family histories on Rootsweb. Many genealogists apply the standard that no data should be entered unless a written official document attests it. I prefer to enter data as I find it, and look for evidence that confirms or eliminates it. As a result, all data should be regarded as tentative. This is the standard that scientists use, that no data is final, including written official records, which also often contain errors. If sending additions or corrections, please cite your evidence, including unofficial records. If possible, send scanned images of supporting data to the email address at the top of the page. I include all descendants, their spouses, and the spouses' parents.
Ralph T. Edwards, grandson of Bertha Maud Anway - Apr 2008

Possible ancestors of William
Robert son of Robert Nannye of London, Grocer borne in the house of Austine Jaunie of Myland bapt. Þe second day of this month Novemeber 1614 at St. Dunstan's Church Stepney, Middlesex, England

The elder Robert may be the son of Hugh and Annes Nanney of Merionshire, Wales.

The younger Robert may be the Robert Nanney who was sent to Saco, Maine on the 13 April 1635 on the Increase
He married Catherine Wheelwright, dau. of Rev John Wheelwright and Anne Hutchinson. The connection, if any, between Robert and William b. 1720 is not known.

• Married: ABT 1744

1. George Nanny b: BEF 3 FEB 1745/46 in Huntington, Naussau, Long Island, New York
2. Amy Nanny b: BEF 18 MAR 1746/47 in Huntington, Suffolk, New York
3. David Nanny b: 6 JUN 1757 in Queens, Long Island, New York