Andrees Surname History

Origins Available:
France
Scotland
Ireland
England

In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Andrees family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Andrees is derived from the baptismal name Andrew which in Greek means manly. The name was popular as both a personal name and a surname, likely because it was the name of Scotland's patron saint. In Gaelic the name is Aindrea and Anndra which again means manly.

Early Origins of the Andrees family

The surname Andrees was first found in Caithness (Gaelic: Gallaibh), the northern tip of Scotland, a Norse/Viking controlled region from the 9th century, which became the Earldom of Caithness.

This family was strongly associated with the Clan Ross. It was originally known as the Clan Siol Andrea, meaning the race of Andrew. However, from about the year 1100 the Andrews moved south to the Dumfriesshire area of southwest Scotland. Duncan Andrew, Chief of the Clan, rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. 1

Some of the family were found further south in England, specifically at Shotley in Northumberland where "Shotley Hall is said to have been built by Dr. Andrews, physician to the first royal Duke of Cumberland." 2

Sir Edmund Andros (1637-1714) was born in London and rose to become an English colonial administrator in North America. The 1689 Boston revolt was directly attributed to his actions in New England.

Early History of the Andrees family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Andrees research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1395, 1463, 1510, 1537, 1600, 1604, 1637, 1649, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1672, 1674, 1714, 1890 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Andrees History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Andrees Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Andrees has been spelled Andrew, Andrews, MacAndrew, Androw, Androe, Andro and many more.

Early Notables of the Andrees family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Alexander Andrew, Sergeant of Aberdeen; Phineas Andrews (ca. 1600-1661), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1661; and Sir Thomas Andrewes (died 1659), English financier, supporter of the parliamentary cause during the English Civil War, Commissioner at the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I, Lord Mayor of London (1649-1650.) Laurence Andrewe (fl. 1510-1537), was a French translator and printer, a native of Calais and Thomas Andrewe (fl. 1604)...
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Andrees Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Andrees family to Ireland

Some of the Andrees family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Andrees family

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Andrees: Ralph Andrew, son of Thomas Andrew of Carlisle, who landed in America in 1664; John Andrew, son of Sir John Andrew of Charlton, landed in 1650; William Andrew settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a ships captain who settled in 1634.

Contemporary Notables of the name Andrees (post 1700) +

Andrees Latif, American reporter who won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.