Of old this family name was spelled De Hannethe. A Hannay, a Hanna, up to about A. D. 1600. It is now Hanna and Hannay. All bearing the name are undoubtedly to be traced to a lowland clan of Scotland, whose chief had his residence in Sorbie Castle. Sir Bernard Burke says, The family of Hannay (originally written a Hannay) is of very ancient descent; and the estate of Sorbie, in Galloway, was the seat of the elder branch. Berry ascribes the arms to all bearing the name, although spelled in various ways.