Show ContentsSandel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Sandel family

The surname Sandel was first found in the Upper Ward of Clydesdale and were from the lands of Sandliands. These were lands that were traditionally held by the Douglasses in the early 14th century, hence their relationship as sept of the Clan Douglas. James Sandilands, armiger, was a vassal of William, the 1st Earl of Douglas and obtained a grant of lands in Peeblesshire from David II in 1336. In 1348 he became possessor of the lands of Sandilands and Redmyre by charter from William, lord of Douglas. [1]

"At an early period the family were in possession of the lands of Sandilands in Lanarkshire, and from the time of David II, when Sir James Sandilands distinguished himself in the wars against the English, they began to acquire a position of some power and prominence." [2]

Early History of the Sandel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sandel research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1511, 1579, 1596, 1627, 1645, 1667 and 1681 are included under the topic Early Sandel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sandel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sandilands, Sandylands, Sandelands, Sandlant and others.

Early Notables of the Sandel family

Notable amongst the family at this time was James Sandilands first Lord Torphichen (d. 1579), second son of Sir James Sandilands of Calder; James Sandilands (1511-1596), Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sandel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Sandel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sandel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Sandel, who arrived in America in 1752 [3]
  • Valentin Sandel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1768 [3]
Sandel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Sandel, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1854 [3]
  • George Sandel, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1866 [3]


The Sandel Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spero Meliora
Motto Translation: I hope for better things.


  1. 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)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook