Saundeson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The surname Saundeson is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Saundeson is was a patronymic name created from Sandy, a diminutive of the given name Alexander. 1 Other sources denote the name is from 'Alexander's son.' 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Saundeson family

The surname Saundeson was first found in county Durham. They were descended from Alexander, a Norman noble who had been granted lands in Waslington in the county of Durham and whose son took the surname James Saunderson. Whorlton in Durham was home to one branch of the family. "This place formed part of the forfeited estates of the Earl of Westmorland, and was purchased from the commissioners of the crown lands; the manor subsequently became the property of the Sanderson family." 5

Also the parish of Saxby in Lincolnshire was home to the family since early times. "This place has long been in the possession of the Saundersons, now represented by the Earl of Scarborough." 5 Early London records list Adam Saunderson in 1349. 6 In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Ricardus Sawndirson; and Johannes Saundirson. 7

Ireland was an early home to many of the family. "The Saundersons of co. Cavan are descended from Alexander de Bedick of Waslington, co. Durham, whose son, James de Bedick, used the alias of Saunderson, from his father's Christian name. His descendants settled in the shires of Nottingham and Lincoln, and it is from the latter county that the Saundersons just mentioned derive themselves. The family of this name in co. Wicklow, claim that their ancestor came into England about the year 1270, and that he sprang 'from Robert, Lord of Innspruck, who was second brother of Rodolph, Count of Hapsburgh, and subsequently Emperor.' The founder of the family in Ireland was a follower of Cromwell." 4

In Scotland, entries were first found in the 15th century. "Johannes Sandrison was witness in Kyncardyn, 1434. John Sanderson bought the Temple lands of Lethindy in 1472. William Sanderissone and Vmfra Sanderissone were summoned in 1479 to answer to parliament for treason." 2

Early History of the Saundeson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saundeson research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1561, 1572, 1573, 1574, 1587, 1602, 1603, 1611, 1627, 1630, 1637, 1663, 1667, 1682, 1696, 1712, 1720, 1723, 1739, 1761, 1837, 1906, 1977 and 1997 are included under the topic Early Saundeson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saundeson Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Saundeson include Saunderson, Sanderson, Sandeson, Sandison and others.

Early Notables of the Saundeson family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Sanderson (d. 1602), English Catholic divine, a native of Lancashire, matriculated as a sizar of Trinity College, Cambridge; Robert Sanderson (1587-1663), English clergyman and casuist, born in Sheffield, Yorkshire; Nicholas Saunderson (1682-1739), English scientist and mathematician, he may have been the earliest discoverer of Bayes theorem; Mary Saunderson (1637-1712), later known as Mary Saunderson Betterton after her marriage to Thomas Betterton, an...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Saundeson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Saundeson family to Ireland

Some of the Saundeson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 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 Saundeson family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Saundesons to arrive on North American shores: Alexander Sanderson settled in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Saunderson who settled in Virginia in 1635; Joe Saunderson settled in St. Christopher in 1635.

The Saundeson 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: Je suis veillant à plaire
Motto Translation: I am watchful to please.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)