The Scottish surname Innes is an habitational name from the barony of Innes in Moray, named from the  “Gaelic  term  inis meaning “island, orpiece of land between two rivers’. The first recorded spelling of the family name is said to be that of Walter de Ineys. This was dated 1226, when he witnessed a charter during the reign of King Alexander 11 of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. Later references include the christening of James Innes, on the 18th July 1609 at Elgin in Scotland. In Ireland the name is found in Ulster, being brought there by 17th Century Scottish settlers.