Añes, William (1562–1630), merchant of Youghal, Co. Cork, possibly born in London, was seventh son among fourteen children of Dunstan (aka Benjamin George or Gonsalvo George) Añes (d. 1594) and his wife Constance Ruyse, both of Spanish descent. The Añes (variously spelt Aynes, Agnes, Ames, Anias, Annias, Annyas), a Marrano family of Valladolid, had a footing in England by 1521 and took refuge there in 1541. Dunstan was a purveyor to the household of Elizabeth I, became a freeman of the Grocer's Company in 1557, and was granted arms in 1568. William Annyas, who may have been William Añes's great-uncle, was mayor of Youghal in 1555. William Añes's uncle Francis (Francisco), the town's mayor in 1569, 1576, and 1581, was described as ‘burgomaster and agent’ of the citizens in 1583.
Francis and his nephew William both distinguished themselves in defending Youghal during the Munster rebellion (the 10th earl of Ormond (qv) told the privy council that ‘William Aynes behaved himself like a tall and valiant man’), and in 1585 Francis served as a commissioner and William as a juror in an inquisition into a local estate. William also took part in his family's continuing interest in the Peninsula: following the example of his elder brother Benjamin (1551–89), an agent for Walsingham, he went on missions to Portugal (1581) and with his brother Jacob (b. 1552) to the Azores (1582), reconnoitring for a future visit by Sir Francis Drake; they were received by the queen on their return. The Spanish ambassador at this time described William as having ‘a fair and handsome face and a small beard’. The family also assisted Don Antonio, the Portuguese pretender, in attempts to recover Portugal. William's sister Sarah (b. 1550) married Roderigo Lopez, who became chief physician to the queen in 1581 but was accused (1594) of conspiracy against the queen's life; the stress of the affair may have contributed to Dunstan's death that year. William married Frances (d. 1601); they had three sons.