Show ContentsSandlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Sandlin name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived throughout ancient Britain as the name literally means "dweller on sandy soil or by the sands." 1 2

"The vocable sand is found in composition of many localities, but the surnames Sand, Sands may mean a messenger, one sent; from German tenden, Goth, sandjan, Anglo-Saxon sendan." 3

Early Origins of the Sandlin family

The surname Sandlin was first found in Surrey where William de Sandes was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. A few years later, Walter de la Sonde was found in the Feet of Fines for Surrey in 1248, and later again, Andrew atte Sonde was registered in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Other early entries include: Reginald del Sond in Suffolk in 1298, Thomas Attensandes in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301 and Gilbert del Sandes in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cumberland in 1332. 1

One of the earliest records of the family was John Sandale (or Sandall), from Wheatley within Long Sandale, Yorkshire. He was Lord High Treasurer (1310-1311) and (1314-1318). Later he was Bishop of Winchester (1316-1319.) 4

Many families were caught up the religious turmoil of the time and this family was no exception in Gloucestershire. "The first that was called to shed his blood was the Rev. John Sands, or Sandys. Ordained priest at Rheims, he came on the English mission in 1584. Labouring diligently in the work of the ministry, he was apprehended, and was soon condemned to the death of a traitor, for his priestly character. Paul Tracye, of Stanwey, then Sheriff of the county, assisted at his barbarous execution in Gloucester on 2nd August, 1586." 5

Walter atte Sond was bailiff of Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1335 and about the same time, "Earl Sondes owned a large estate in Norfolk." 6

In northern England we found Johannes del Sandes listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 and the Estates and Families of Cumberland, Cumberland included an entry for Thomas del Sandes, 16 Richard II (during the sixteenth year of King Richard II's reign.) 7

Further to the north in Scotland, the family came "from the lands of Sands in the parish of Tulliallan in Fife, which in 1494 were in possession of Thomas Sands and his mother, Isobel Hudson. John Sands was chaplain at Polkelly in 1487, Thomas Sandis of that Ilk was tenant in the quarter lands of Lurg near Culross, 1587." 8

Early History of the Sandlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sandlin research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1468, 1471, 1510, 1523, 1549, 1571, 1576, 1587, 1589, 1600, 1603, 1618, 1620, 1624, 1633, 1638, 1645, 1677 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sandlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sandlin Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sandlin were recorded, including Sand, Sands, Sandes, Sandis, Sandall, Saundes, Sonds and many more.

Early Notables of the Sandlin family

Distinguished members of the family include George Sondes, Earl of Feversham (1600-1677), born in 1600 at Lees Court, in the parish of Sheldwich, near Feversham in Kent, son and heir of Sir Richard...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sandlin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sandlin Ranking

In the United States, the name Sandlin is the 3,719th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 9

Ireland Migration of the Sandlin family to Ireland

Some of the Sandlin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 110 words (8 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 Sandlin family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Sandlin family emigrate to North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..


Contemporary Notables of the name Sandlin (post 1700) +

  • Jack Sandlin (1950-2023), American politician who was a Republican member of the Indiana Senate
  • John Everett Sandlin Jr. (1945-2017), American recording engineer and producer
  • Sergeant Willie Sandlin (1890-1949), United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I
  • Tim Sandlin (b. 1950), American novelist and screenwriter
  • Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (b. 1970), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Dakota, 2004, 2008; U.S. Representative from South Dakota at-large, 2004-; Defeated, 2002, 2010 10
  • Max A. Sandlin (b. 1952), American Democratic Party politician, County Judge in Texas, 1986-96; U.S. Representative from Texas 1st District, 1997-; Defeated, 2004; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2000, 2004 11
  • Marlin Sandlin, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1956 11
  • L. D. Sandlin, American politician, Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives, 1934-35 11
  • John Nicholas Sandlin (1872-1957), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 1912 (alternate), 1916; District Judge in Louisiana 2nd District 11
  • Hugh Sandlin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oklahoma, 1944 (alternate), 1956 11
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Sandlin +

  • The Sandlin Clan by Dale S. Sandlin.

  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  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. 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)
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  10. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  11. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook