Saint andrew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The ancestors of the Saint andrew family lived among the Pictish clans of ancient Scotland. The name Saint andrew comes from the baptismal name Andrew which in Greek means manly. The name was popular as both a personal name and a surname, likely because it was the name of Scotland's patron saint. In Gaelic the name is Aindrea and Anndra which again means manly.

Early Origins of the Saint andrew family

The surname Saint andrew was first found in Caithness (Gaelic: Gallaibh), the northern tip of Scotland, a Norse/Viking controlled region from the 9th century, which became the Earldom of Caithness.

This family was strongly associated with the Clan Ross. It was originally known as the Clan Siol Andrea, meaning the race of Andrew. However, from about the year 1100 the Andrews moved south to the Dumfriesshire area of southwest Scotland. Duncan Andrew, Chief of the Clan, rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. 1

Some of the family were found further south in England, specifically at Shotley in Northumberland where "Shotley Hall is said to have been built by Dr. Andrews, physician to the first royal Duke of Cumberland." 2

Sir Edmund Andros (1637-1714) was born in London and rose to become an English colonial administrator in North America. The 1689 Boston revolt was directly attributed to his actions in New England.

Early History of the Saint andrew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saint andrew research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1395, 1463, 1510, 1537, 1600, 1604, 1637, 1649, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1672, 1674, 1714, 1890 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Saint andrew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saint andrew Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Andrew, Andrews, MacAndrew, Androw, Androe, Andro and many more.

Early Notables of the Saint andrew family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Alexander Andrew, Sergeant of Aberdeen; Phineas Andrews (ca. 1600-1661), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1661; and Sir Thomas Andrewes (died 1659), English financier, supporter of the parliamentary cause during the English Civil War, Commissioner at the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I, Lord Mayor of London (1649-1650.) Laurence Andrewe (fl. 1510-1537), was a French translator and printer, a native of Calais and Thomas Andrewe (fl. 1604)...
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Saint andrew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Saint andrew family to Ireland

Some of the Saint andrew family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 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 Saint andrew family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Ralph Andrew, son of Thomas Andrew of Carlisle, who landed in America in 1664; John Andrew, son of Sir John Andrew of Charlton, landed in 1650; William Andrew settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a ships captain who settled in 1634.

The Saint andrew 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: Victrix fortuna sapientia
Motto Translation: Wisdom is the conqueror of fortune.

Citations +

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