Anderson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the Scottish west coast, the Anderson family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the given name Andrew. The given name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which means man or manly. The first reference to the given name Andrew was a monk of Dunfermline, who later became the Bishop of Caithness in the reign of David I. The first references to the surname appeared in the 13th century. In 1296, David le fiz Andreu was recorded as a burgess of Peebles, and Duncan fiz Andreu of Dumfries was recorded as taking an oath of fealty. [1]

The Andersons held territories in Moidart, but later moved to Badenoch in the early 14th century. The most prominent branches of the Andersons were the Dowhills, West Ardbrecks and Candacraigs in Strathdon.

Early Origins of the Anderson family

The surname Anderson was first found in the Great Glen and Strathspey, where the Anderson family is descended from Mac Ghille Andreis, servant of St. Andrew, Scotland’s Patron Saint. They are regarded as a sept of Clan Chattan and have been associated with this Confederation of Clans from the 15th century. 

Not withstanding the aforementioned Scottish ancestry, it should now be mentioned that some of the family moved south into England at early times in their history. By example, we need to mention the manor in the parish of Eyworth in Bedfordshire. “The manor belonged at an early period to the Leybourns, and was afterwards in the families of Charlton and Francis; in the reign of Elizabeth, Eyworth was the property and seat of Sir Edmund Anderson, lord chief justice of the common pleas, one of the judges who sat at the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. The church contains some interesting monuments to the Andersons and others.” [2]

Early History of the Anderson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anderson research.

Anderson Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Anderson has appeared as Anderson, Andison, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andirsoone, Andresoun, Androson, Andirston, Andrewson and many more.

Early Notables of the Anderson family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was John Androsone, burgess of Edinburgh in 1515; David and Alexander Anderson of Finshaugh, who made great contributions in the world of mathematics; Lionel Albert Anderson (c. 1620-1710), an English Dominican.

Anderson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Anderson is the 11^st most popular surname with an estimated 773,457 people with that name. [3] However, in Canada, the name Anderson is ranked the 13^rdmost popular surname with an estimated 70,365 people with that name. [4] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Anderson is the 745^th popular surname. [5] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Anderson as 123^rd with 294 people. [6] France ranks Anderson as 4,892^nd with 1,500 – 2,000 people. [7] Australia ranks Anderson as 7^th with 71,588 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Anderson as 8^th with 6,986 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Anderson as 43^rd with 88,023 people. [10] South Africa ranks Anderson as 524^th with 13,549 people. [11]

 Migration of the Anderson family to Ireland

Some of the Anderson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Anderson migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Anderson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jochem Anderson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1600 [12]
• Heinrich Anderson, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1627
• Thomas Anderson, aged 28, who arriving first in St. Domingo then to Virginia in 1634 or 1635 aboard the ship “Bonaventure”
• John Anderson, aged 20, who arriving first in St. Domingo then to Virginia in 1634 or 1635 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” [12]
• Mr. Richard Anderson, aged 17, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Transport” [13]

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Hannah Anderson, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [12]
• Enoch Anderson, who landed in New Jersey in 1709 [12]
• Jacob Anderson, who emigrated from England to New England in 1710
• Derrick Anderson, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [12]
• Edward Anderson, who landed in Virginia in 1717 [12]

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Archd Anderson, aged 19, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [12]
• George Anderson, who landed in America in 1804 [12]
• Heny Anderson, aged 46, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 [12]
• James Anderson, who arrived in America in 1804 [12]
• Charles Anderson, who landed in America in 1805 [12

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Herman Anderson, who landed in Mississippi in 1900 [12]
• Chris Anderson, who landed in Alaska in 1900 [12]
• Eliza J Anderson, who landed in Colorado in 1902 [12]
• Chris C Anderson, who arrived in Mississippi in 1903 [12]
• Frank Anderson, who arrived in Arkansas in 1903 [