First found in Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and would later play a large role in the political conflicts of the area. The family branched into many houses, some of which acquired estates and manors throughout the surrounding regions, where they played significant roles in the social and political affairs. From early on, the name was represented by predominantly Danish families, although most of the Schleswig branches and many of the southern Danish branches spoke German.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Heinrich Anderson, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1627; Johan Anderson, who settled in Delaware in 1693; Johann Anderson, who was living in Pennsylvania in 1771.

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