Show ContentsAndirston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Andirston family were born. Their name comes from the given name Andrew. The given name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which means man or manly. The first reference to the given name Andrew was a monk of Dunfermline, who later became the Bishop of Caithness in the reign of David I. The first references to the surname appeared in the 13th century. In 1296, David le fiz Andreu was recorded as a burgess of Peebles, and Duncan fiz Andreu of Dumfries was recorded as taking an oath of fealty. 1

The Andersons held territories in Moidart, but later moved to Badenoch in the early 14th century. The most prominent branches of the Andersons were the Dowhills, West Ardbrecks and Candacraigs in Strathdon.

Early Origins of the Andirston family

The surname Andirston was first found in the Great Glen and Strathspey, where the Andirston family is descended from Mac Ghille Andreis, servant of St. Andrew, Scotland's Patron Saint. They are regarded as a sept of Clan Chattan and have been associated with this Confederation of Clans from the 15th century.

Not withstanding the aforementioned Scottish ancestry, it should now be mentioned that some of the family moved south into England at early times in their history. By example, we need to mention the manor in the parish of Eyworth in Bedfordshire. "The manor belonged at an early period to the Leybourns, and was afterwards in the families of Charlton and Francis; in the reign of Elizabeth, Eyworth was the property and seat of Sir Edmund Anderson, lord chief justice of the common pleas, one of the judges who sat at the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. The church contains some interesting monuments to the Andersons and others." 2

Early History of the Andirston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Andirston research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1515, 1620, 1668, 1710, 1721, 1726, 1796 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Andirston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Andirston Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Andirston has been spelled Anderson, Andison, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andirsoone, Andresoun, Androson, Andirston, Andrewson and many more.

Early Notables of the Andirston family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was John Androsone, burgess of Edinburgh in 1515; David and Alexander Anderson of Finshaugh, who made great contributions in the world of mathematics; Lionel Albert Anderson (c. 1620-1710), an English Dominican...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Andirston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Andirston family to Ireland

Some of the Andirston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 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 Andirston family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Andirstons to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Anderson, who settled in Virginia in 1634; as did Joseph Anderson and Richard Anderson in 1635; Alester Anderson, who came to New England in 1652.



  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. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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