Show ContentsM'andrew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The western coast of Scotland and the desolate Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the M'andrew family. Their name is derived from the son of the blond one, or son of Alpin.

Early Origins of the M'andrew family

The surname M'andrew was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they were descended from King Kenneth MacAlpin who was murdered by the Picts near Dundee in the year 834. MacAlpin is generally considered to have been the first king to rule both Scots and Picts, and as such, was the first king of Scotland.

Further to the south, the variant Alby hailed from Alby, a parish, in the union of Aylsham, hundred of South Erpingham, E. division of Norfolk. "This place, which was anciently called Oslby, is intersected by the road from Aylsham to Cromer, and includes the hamlets of Alby Common and Alby Hill." 1

Early History of the M'andrew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our M'andrew research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1395, 1405, 1531, 1557, 1658, 1692 and 1725 are included under the topic Early M'andrew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

M'andrew Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. M'andrew has appeared in various documents spelled MacAlpine, MacAlpin, MacAilpein (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the M'andrew family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir John MacAlpin; John MacAlpine (Latin: Maccabeus) (died 1557), a Scottish Protestant theologian; and Joseph Capen (1658-1725), a Massachusetts clergyman who during...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early M'andrew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the M'andrew family to Ireland

Some of the M'andrew family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States M'andrew migration to the United States +

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name M'andrew or a variant listed above include:

M'andrew Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alexander M'Andrew, who settled in Georgia in 1775
M'andrew Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas M'Andrew, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1871 along with Michael


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


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