Last name: Anderson

This interesting surname is of English and Scottish origin, and is a patronymic of the surname Andrew, which is derived from the personal name from the Greek "Andreas", a derivative of "andreios", manly, from "aner", man, male. This was the name of the first of Jesus Christ's disciples, and it is also the name of the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia. The personal name was first recorded as "Andreas" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and the surname was first recorded in Scotland with one John Andree, who was present at the perambulation of the boundaries of Kyrknes and Louchor in 1395. The modern surname can be found as Andrew(e)s, Andress, Andriss, Anderson, Enderson, McAndrew and Kendrew. One William Anderson was an early settler in America, setting sail from London on the "Alexander" bound for the Barbadoes in May 1635. Among the recordings in London is the christening of Neal, son of Erasmus and Mary Anderson, on March 19th 1698, at St. Katherine by the Tower. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rogerus Andreweson, which was dated 1272, in the "Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Visitor Comments

McGhillies
Looking for information regarding origins of the Anderson Clan. What part of Scotland was known to them.

Vel Anderson
Please forward any information you find/have on to me...I'm also searching for any information on this surname

Amy Jones
I thought this was a Swedish surname too?

Gordon
That's my name. I always tought it came from Norway, where there are a lot of Andersson's - andersen's etc. especially given the immigration to the west coast of Scotland (c.1300 ~ 1400) and is similar to Ericsson, Larson and Svenson. These being 'son of' Eric, Lars and Sven respectfully. These along with Anders being popular names in Norway and possibly Sweden Also.

Barbara Wells
Related to Andersons through great grandparents. These Andersons came from Scotland through Viorginia, into Williamson and Wayne Counties in Tennessee

Eric Anderson
The surname Anderson also came from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden I know this cuz my family is danish

David
the Scandinavian version Is Anderssen not Anderson or maybe it's Andersson, Anderson is the English version.

andy
The scandinavian version is Andersson, but the s was dropped particularly when many of the families holding this surname started to travel outwith Scadinavia (Can be seen particulary in America).

Jenn
I was told that Andersen with the "e" and Andersson with the double "s" is Scandinavian. Anderson comes from MacAndreas, son of Andrew, like it says above or "Gilleaindreas" in Gaelic. That's what I was always told. I am far from Scandinavian (no offense). I was tavelling around Northern Scotland 2 years ago and an old Scotchman I met had nothing but kind things to say about Andersons. They are a peaceful clan and exceptional knitters he said. The region I was told that the Anderson clan is from is Galashiels. The last known member of my direct family lived in Sterling though I think.

Paul Anderson
I was told our name was Andreason. It was Americanized when the family came to America from Sweden.

Jackson
I always thought it came from Norway to, thats what my Dad said to me when i was younger.

Marina
My great-grandmother was Anderson or Andersen (I'm not sure), they lived in Latvia...

T
my ancestry goes back 14 generations Anderson.................. from Christian Anderson who's father's name was Anders Christianson.

Jack Bodensby
My mum was a Andersson and she was from Norwich,England with no Scottish background. The two S's are interesting too because the Norwegian and Danish versions have one S.

James Anderson
The surname Anderson can be of several origins... The Scandinavian version is "Andersson" or "Anderssen".. Immigrants that left Scandinavia for the U.S. were often required to drop the second "s". There are also English and Scottish versions.. My surname is spelled "Anderson", and for sure originates in Norway.. My father's great grandfather was full Norwegian. Anderson is common today in Sweden, but of course, still has the double "ss" instead of only one...