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Show ContentsSanderson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The surname Sanderson is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Sanderson is was a patronymic name created from Sandy, a diminutive of the given name Alexander. 1 Other sources denote the name is from 'Alexander's son.' 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Sanderson family

The surname Sanderson was first found in county Durham. They were descended from Alexander, a Norman noble who had been granted lands in Waslington in the county of Durham and whose son took the surname James Saunderson. Whorlton in Durham was home to one branch of the family. "This place formed part of the forfeited estates of the Earl of Westmorland, and was purchased from the commissioners of the crown lands; the manor subsequently became the property of the Sanderson family." 5

Also the parish of Saxby in Lincolnshire was home to the family since early times. "This place has long been in the possession of the Saundersons, now represented by the Earl of Scarborough." 5 Early London records list Adam Saunderson in 1349. 6 In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Ricardus Sawndirson; and Johannes Saundirson. 7

Ireland was an early home to many of the family. "The Saundersons of co. Cavan are descended from Alexander de Bedick of Waslington, co. Durham, whose son, James de Bedick, used the alias of Saunderson, from his father's Christian name. His descendants settled in the shires of Nottingham and Lincoln, and it is from the latter county that the Saundersons just mentioned derive themselves. The family of this name in co. Wicklow, claim that their ancestor came into England about the year 1270, and that he sprang 'from Robert, Lord of Innspruck, who was second brother of Rodolph, Count of Hapsburgh, and subsequently Emperor.' The founder of the family in Ireland was a follower of Cromwell." 4

In Scotland, entries were first found in the 15th century. "Johannes Sandrison was witness in Kyncardyn, 1434. John Sanderson bought the Temple lands of Lethindy in 1472. William Sanderissone and Vmfra Sanderissone were summoned in 1479 to answer to parliament for treason." 2

Early History of the Sanderson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sanderson research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1561, 1572, 1573, 1574, 1587, 1602, 1603, 1611, 1627, 1630, 1637, 1663, 1667, 1682, 1696, 1712, 1720, 1723, 1739, 1761, 1837, 1906, 1977 and 1997 are included under the topic Early Sanderson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sanderson Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Sanderson are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Sanderson include Saunderson, Sanderson, Sandeson, Sandison and others.

Early Notables of the Sanderson family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • John Sanderson (d. 1602), English Catholic divine, a native of Lancashire, matriculated as a sizar of Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Robert Sanderson (1587-1663), English clergyman and casuist, born in Sheffield, Yorkshire

Sanderson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sanderson is the 1,361st most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Sanderson is ranked the 711st most popular surname with an estimated 7,483 people with that name. 9 And in Australia, the name Sanderson is the 572nd popular surname with an estimated 6,749 people with that name. 10 New Zealand ranks Sanderson as 888th with 825 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Sanderson as 375th with 16,975 people. 12

Ireland Migration of the Sanderson family to Ireland

Some of the Sanderson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Sanderson migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Sanderson, or a variant listed above:

Sanderson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Alexander Sanderson, who settled in Virginia in 1623
  • Allexander Sanderson, who landed in Virginia in 1623 13
  • Edward Sanderson, who landed in Virginia in 1639 13
  • John Sanderson, who landed in Virginia in 1663 13
  • Ri Sanderson, who landed in Virginia in 1665 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sanderson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Sanderson, who settled in Carolina in 1774
Sanderson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Sanderson, who landed in America in 1800 13
  • Robert Sanderson, who arrived in America in 1804 13
  • Sidney Sanderson, aged 28, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 13
  • Arthur Sanderson, who arrived in America in 1804 13
  • John E Sanderson, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1804 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Sanderson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sanderson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Jane Sanderson, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Mary Sanderson, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Mr. Lander Sanderson who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Haubet" departing 2nd July 1847 from Hamburg, Germany; the ship arrived on 1st September 1847 but he died on board 14
  • Miss. Margaret Sanderson who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Haubet" departing 2nd July 1847 from Hamburg, Germany; the ship arrived on 1st September 1847 but she died on board 14

Australia Sanderson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sanderson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Sanderson, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • John Sanderson, a blacksmith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. Edward Francis Sanderson, (b. 1813), aged 22, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1862 16
  • William Sanderson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1839 17
  • Mr. James Sanderson, English convict who was convicted in Preston, Lancashire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 27th August 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Sanderson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sanderson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Sanderson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 19
  • Miss Fanney Sanderson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 19
  • Mrs. Fanney Sanderson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 19
  • Miss Mary Anne Sanderson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 19
  • Miss Susan Sanderson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th March 1852 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sanderson (post 1700) +

  • James Richard "Sandy" Sanderson (1926-2010), United States Navy Vice Admiral
  • Silas W Sanderson (1823-1886), American jurist, 7th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California
  • Cael Norman Sanderson (b. 1979), American gold, silver and bronze medalist wrestler
  • Brandon Sanderson (b. 1975), American fantasy and science fiction author, known for his fantasy series Mistborn and Alcatraz
  • Sybil Sanderson (1865-1903), American operatic soprano
  • Scott Douglas Sanderson (b. 1956), American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball
  • George Henry Sanderson (1824-1893), American politician, Mayor of San Francisco (1891-1893)
  • Benjamin Sanderson, American politician, Member of North Carolina State Senate from Hyde County, 1811-13, 1827, 1829 20
  • August E. Sanderson, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Hunterdon County, 1871-72 20
  • Asa T. Sanderson (b. 1854), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1901-04 (Saginaw County 2nd District 1901-02, Saginaw County 3rd District 1903-04) 20
  • ... (Another 58 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Peter Sanderson (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Chichester, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. John D L Sanderson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. John D L Sanderson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
USS Arizona
  • Mr. James Harvey Sanderson, American Musician Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23

The Sanderson 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: Je suis veillant à plaire
Motto Translation: I am watchful to please.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. 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)
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 94)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
  17. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Lysander.htm
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, March 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  21. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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