The saga of the Androw family name begins among the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the
Picts. The Androw name is derived 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 Androw family
The surname Androw 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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 Androw family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Androw research.
Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1395, 1463, 1600, 1958, 1600, 1661, 1660, 1661, 1659, 1649, 1650 and are included under the topic Early Androw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Androw Spelling Variations
Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of
spelling variations with single names. Androw has appeared Andrew, Andrews, MacAndrew, Androw, Androe, Andro and many more.
Early Notables of the Androw family (pre 1700)
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...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Androw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Androw family to Ireland
Some of the Androw family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 143 words (10 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 Androw family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to
Ireland and
Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American
War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the
Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Androw:
Androw Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Basilio Androw, who arrived in Texas in 1908 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) - Baselio Androw, who landed in Texas in 1908 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
The Androw 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.