Contents [hide]

Sanders History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Sanders History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany
Ireland

The Anglo-Norman surname Sanders is derived from the name Saunder, which is a pet form of the personal name Alexander. This name was originally derived from the Greek personal name Alexandros which literally means defender of men.

Early Origins of the Sanders family

The surname Sanders was first found in County Wicklow (Irish: Cill Mhantáin), known as the “last county,” created only in 1606, located on the East coast of Ireland, today part of the Greater Dublin Area, where they were granted lands by Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, for their assistance in the invasion of Ireland in 1172.

Early History of the Sanders family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sanders research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1555, 1581, 1620, 1648, 1683, 1695 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Sanders History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sanders Spelling Variations

A single person's name was often spelt simply as it sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. An investigation into the specific origins the name Sanders has revealed that such a practice has resulted in many spelling variations over the years. A few of its variants include: Saunders, Sanders, Sawnders, Sainders, Saynders, Saunderrs, Sannders, Sanderrs, Saunder and many more.

Early Notables of the Sanders family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

Nicholas Sanders or Sander (ca. 1530-1581), was an English controversialist and historian, one of the twelve children of William Sanders of Aston, one time High Sheriff of Surrey

Sanders World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sanders is the 75^th most popular surname with an estimated 248,700 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Sanders is ranked the 955^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,636 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Sanders is the 339^th popular surname with an estimated 10,638 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Sanders as 292^nd with 2,082 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Sanders as 337^th with 18,298 people. 5 Netherlands ranks Sanders as 82^nd with 11,522 people. 6

Sanders migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Sanders:

Sanders Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Lieutenant Sanders, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 7
Allexander Sanders, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Truelove" 7
David Sanders, who landed in Virginia in 1623 7
George Sanders, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 7
Henery Sanders, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Southampton" 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sanders Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Marsey Sanders, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 7
Isaac Sanders, who landed in Virginia in 1703 7
Thomas Sanders, who landed in Virginia in 1714 7
Debora Sanders, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 7
I John Sanders, aged 10, who arrived in New York in 1724 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sanders Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benj Sanders, aged 28, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 7
John Sanders, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 7
Ths Sanders, aged 24, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1839 7
Jacob Sanders, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 7
Thomas Sanders, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1841 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sanders Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Sanders, (b. 1856), aged 44, Cornish slater travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 5th March 1900 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 8
Mr. Elias Sanders, (b. 1879), aged 21, Cornish miner, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 17th March 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 8
Mr. Elias Sanders, (b. 1879), aged 24, English miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th February 1903 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 8

Sanders migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sanders Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

George Sanders, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Mr. Edward Sanders U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 9

Sanders Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. John Sanders who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Naomi" departing 15th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 10th August 1847 but he died on board 10
Mr. Robert Sanders, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Allan Kerr" departing 23rd June 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 4th August 1847 but he died on board 10
S Sanders, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

Sanders Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

A. F. Sanders, who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Mrs. Sanders, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
A F Sanders, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Mrs. E Sanders, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Sanders migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sanders Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Joseph Sanders, (b. 1793), aged 20, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1826 11
Mr. Richard Sanders, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
James Sanders, English convict from Bristol, who was transported aboard the "America" on April 4, 1829, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Sanders, British Convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
James Sanders, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on February 22, 1834, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sanders migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sanders Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Sanders, (b. 1798), aged 43, British labourer travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Mr. William Sanders, (b. 1799), aged 42, British shipwright travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Mr. William Henry Sanders, (b. 1825), aged 16, British wheelwright travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 16
Mr. Sanders, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd January 1843 16
Mr. W.H. Sanders, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merchantman' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1855 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sanders migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Sanders Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Sanders, Cornish settler from Marazion, Cornwall, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 19
Mr. John Sanders, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
William Sanders, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Sanders (post 1700) +

Joop Sanders (1921-2023), Dutch-American painter, educator, and founding member of the American Abstract Expressionist group
Ed Parish "E.P." Sanders FBA (1937-2022), American New Testament scholar and a principal proponent of the "New Perspective on Paul"
Farrell "Pharoah" Sanders (1940-2022), American jazz saxophonist, member of John Coltrane's groups of the mid-1960s who released over 30 albums
John Frank Sanders (1945-2022), American professional baseball scout and former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Athletics
William Evan Sanders (1919-2021), American Episcopalian prelate, 8th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee from 1977 to 1985, and first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee from 1985 to 1992
Prentice Earl Sanders (1937-2021), American San Francisco Police Department officer and the first African American chief of that department in 2002
George Douglas Sanders (1933-2020), American professional golfer who won 20 events on the PGA Tour
Sarah Elizabeth Huckabee Sanders (b. 1982), American Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary, daughter of Mike Huckabee, and former Arkansas first lady Janet Huckabee
William Nelson "Sonny" Sanders (1939-2016), American musician, songwriter and arranger
Bernard "Bernie" Sanders (b. 1941), American politician, Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, 1981-89; U.S. Representative from Vermont at-large, 1991, candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 U.S. presidential election
... (Another 169 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Sanders family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. L Sanders, British Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 21

HMS Repulse

Mr. Cyril George Cleve Sanders, British Petty Officer Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 22

SS Atlantic

George Sanders, crew member who was aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Elmer L. Sanders, American Gunners Mate First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 23
Mr. Eugene Thomas Sanders, American Ensign from New York, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23

The Sanders 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: Nil Conscire Sibi
Motto Translation: Conscious of no Wrong.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 94)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1829 with 176 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1829
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dunvegan-castle
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1834 with 230 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1834
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html