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annis

Annis is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the medieval form of Agnes. It was used in England during the Middle Ages and continues to appear in historical records as a given name and, rarely, as a surname. In modern usage, Annis remains uncommon but can be found in genealogical sources and occasionally in fiction or literary works.

In folklore, Annis (often called the Annis hag) is a figure in English tradition associated with southwestern

Cultural references to Annis appear mainly in folklore scholarship, regional histories, and local storytelling. The figure

See also: Agnes (name); Annis hag; English folklore.

England,
particularly
Devon
and
Cornwall.
The
Annis
hag
is
typically
described
as
an
old
woman
or
ogress
who
roams
the
countryside
at
night
and
preys
on
travelers
or
children.
Tales
featuring
Annis
form
part
of
a
broader
set
of
cautionary
folklore
in
which
nocturnal
or
menacing
crones
are
used
to
explain
danger,
warn
children,
or
convey
moral
lessons.
Some
regional
variants
link
the
character
to
seasonal
or
agricultural
contexts,
while
others
present
her
as
a
general
embodiment
of
fear
of
the
unknown.
is
cited
as
an
example
of
hag
motifs
in
the
British
Isles
and
as
part
of
the
wider
tradition
of
nocturnal
female
beings
in
English
folklore.
The
name
Annis
also
survives
in
modern
personal
names
and
in
fictional
portrayals
influenced
by
traditional
lore.