Anderson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
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Scotland
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Etymology of Anderson

What does the name Anderson mean?

On the Scottish west coast, the Anderson family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. 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 Anderson family

The surname Anderson was first found in the Great Glen and Strathspey, where the Anderson 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 Anderson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anderson 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 Anderson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anderson Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Anderson has appeared as Anderson, Andison, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andirsoone, Andresoun, Androson, Andirston, Andrewson and many more.

Early Notables of the Anderson family

David and Alexander Anderson of Finshaugh, who made great contributions in the world of mathematics
Lionel Albert Anderson (c. 1620-1710), an English Dominican and Recusant who involved in the Titus Oates plot
John Anderson (1668?-1721), a Scottish theologian and controversialist
John HD Anderson (1726-1796), a Scottish professor who founded Anderson's College in Glasgow
James Anderson, who invented the reflecting telescope

Anderson World Ranking

the United States, the name Anderson is the 11^st most popular surname with an estimated 773,457 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Anderson is ranked the 13^rd most popular surname with an estimated 70,365 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Anderson is the 745^th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Anderson as 123^rd with 294 people. 6 France ranks Anderson as 4,892^nd with 1,500 - 2,000 people. 7 Australia ranks Anderson as 7^th with 71,588 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Anderson as 8^th with 6,986 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Anderson as 43^rd with 88,023 people. 10 South Africa ranks Anderson as 524^th with 13,549 people. 11

Migration of the Anderson family to Ireland

Some of the Anderson 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.

Anderson migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Anderson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jochem Anderson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1600 13
Heinrich Anderson, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1627
Thomas Anderson, aged 28, who arriving first in St. Domingo then to Virginia in 1634 or 1635 aboard the ship "Bonaventure"
John Anderson, aged 20, who arriving first in St. Domingo then to Virginia in 1634 or 1635 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" 13
Joseph Anderson arrived in America in 1635
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hannah Anderson, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 13
Enoch Anderson, who landed in New Jersey in 1709 13
Jacob Anderson, who emigrated from England to New England in 1710
Derrick Anderson, who landed in Virginia in 1714 13
Edward Anderson, who landed in Virginia in 1717 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Archd Anderson, aged 19, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 13
George Anderson, who landed in America in 1804 13
James Anderson, who arrived in America in 1804 13
Heny Anderson, aged 46, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 13
Charles Anderson, who landed in America in 1805 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Chris Anderson, who landed in Alaska in 1900 13
Herman Anderson, who landed in Mississippi in 1900 13
Eliza J Anderson, who landed in Colorado in 1902 13
Chris C Anderson, who arrived in Mississippi in 1903 13
Frank Anderson, who arrived in Arkansas in 1903 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson migration to Canada +

Anderson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Anderson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
James Anderson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
John and William Anderson, who immigrated to Newfoundland in 1763 14
Elizabeth Anderson, aged 36, who landed in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775
Mr. Alex Anderson U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Home District, South Central Ontario c. 1783 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alexander Anderson and his wife Isobel, who emigrated from Scotland to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1808 with their children James, Ann, Christina, and Isobel
William Anderson, aged 28, who landed in Canada in 1811
William Anderson, aged 28, who arrived in Canada in 1811
William Anderson, aged 37, a gardener, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Ann Anderson, aged 36, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Elizabeth Anderson, (Bruce), (1763 - 1831), aged 24, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. John Anderson, (1746 - 1801), aged 43, British settler convicted in Buckinghamshire, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Miss Mary Anderson, (1769 - 1831), aged 20, British settler convicted in Guildford, Surrey in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13

Second Fleet

Mr. James Anderson, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Edward Anderson, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13

Third Fleet

Mr. John Anderson, (b. 1760), aged 27, English seaman convicted in Exeter, Devon on 26th May 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 13
Miss Elizabeth Anderson, (b. 1754), aged 33, English settler convicted in London on 10th January 1787, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Mr. John Anderson, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in London on 20th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Miss Frances "Fanny" Anderson, (b. 1758), aged 29, Irish settler convicted in Winchester, Hampshire on 7th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Mr. John Anderson, British seaman on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Anderson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Anderson, (b. 1760), aged 27, English seaman who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Robert Anderson, (b. 1772), aged 21, Irish soldier who was convicted in Donegal, Ireland for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1839 17

Anderson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Martha Anderson, (b. 1768), aged 32, English house maid who was convicted in Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Robert Anderson, (Scott), British Convict who was convicted in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Thomas Anderson, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
Miss Isabella Anderson, (b. 1784), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Emu" in October 1812, the ship was captured and the passengers put ashore, the convicts were then transported aboard the "Broxburnebury" in January 1812 arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1850 21
Mr.Christopher Anderson, (b. 1790), aged 24, Irish carman who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Francis and Eliza" on 15th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson 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:

Anderson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Anderson, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 23
Mr. Jacob Anderson, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 23
J Anderson, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1839
Patrick Anderson, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Samuel Anderson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Anderson 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. 24

Anderson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

James Anderson, aged 19, who arrived in Barbados in 1634 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 13
Mr. Robert Anderson, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 25
Mr. John Anderson, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 26
Mr. William Anderson, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 26

Contemporary Notables of the name Anderson (post 1700) +

Marian Anderson (1897-1993), American concert and opera singer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
John Anderson GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, PC, PC (Ire), FRS (1882-1958), 1st Viscount Waverley, British civil servant and politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1943-1945), Lord President of the Council (1940-1943), eponym of the Anderson Shelter used extensively in World War II
Philip Warren Anderson (1923-2020), American scientist who won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1977 for his work on the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson (1933-2024), known professionally as Chita Rivera, an American actress, singer, and dancer, Tony-nominated for her roles in Bye Bye Birdie (1961), Chicago (1975)
Stephen Robert Anderson (1943-2025), American linguist, Dorothy R. Diebold Professor of Linguistics Emeritus at Yale University and was the 2007 president of the Linguistic Society of America
Loni Kaye Anderson (1945-2025), American actress, best known for playing receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982), earned nominations for three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards
Loni Kaye Anderson (1945-2025), American actress best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati
Bruce Douglas Anderson (1950-2025), American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate, member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, represented District 29, which includes portions of Hennepin and Wright Counties in central Minnesota (2013-2025)
Malachi Colby Anderson (1931-2025), American politician, Member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995
... (Another 130 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Anderson family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mrs. Audrey Anderson (d. 1979), British passenger, from United Kingdom aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 27
Mrs. Margaret Isobel Anderson (1915-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 28
Henry Anderson, British crew who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Frederick William Charles Anderson (1904-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. James William Anderson (d. 1914), British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 28
... (Another 94 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Anderson 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: Stand sure

Sources +

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.
"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
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"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 South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
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
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Emu
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
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
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html