History

ANDERSON / MacANDREW / GILLANDERS, etc., are all surnames with the name ‘ANDREW’ at the heart, which is a Greek name meaning “manly” which is claimed to have been in use for well over two thousand years. Perhaps the most famous man to bear the name was the first Disciple of Christ, who became the Patron Saint of not only Russia, Rumania, Prussia, Amalfi and Patras in Greece, but also of Scotland.

Legend has it that the relics of St. Andrew were brought under supernatural guidance by St. Regulus from Constantinople to the place where the modern St. Andrews now stands. Whether this is true or not, it was about the middle of the 10th century, when St. Andrew became the Patron Saint of Scotland and the use of Andrew as a Christian name subsequently became widely popular. Going by the number of English parish churches dedicated to St. Andrew, it is also clear that the name became very popular in widespread areas throughout the British Isles and even ranked a mention of one “Andreas” in the Doomsday Book of 1086.”

In England, the registers of "The Guild of Corpus Christi of the City of York" reveal one 'Androson' in 1455 and an 'Androwson' in 1482. The name Anderson has proliferated wherever emigres from these shores ended up and due to the particular popularity of the name in Scotland, this often, but not exclusively, leads back to Scottish ancestry for large numbers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. However, many of the American Andersons are of Swedish origin (Andersson is the most prevalent name in the Stockholm telephone directory). To a lesser degree, Andersons are indigenous all over Europe, the origin of the name being the same in most countries where it is found, and its pan-European popularity undoubtedly stems from St Andrew.

Of the many publications that cover family history and names, there are few books that can be found that specifically cover the name Anderson or MacAndrew. Of those that do and in the majority by far, are books on Scottish Clans and Families, many of which include some coverage of the name. Over the last couple of centuries or so, most of these publications have served our genus poorly with material that has been heavily flawed and in many cases, pure myth! Unfortunately, too many accept what they read as the truth, but there would seem little point in developing a sense of pride in the 'highly questionable' material that has so far prevailed. That all Andersons descend from the 'Celtic Earls of Ross' as one can see promoted in many works on Scottish Clan history, is a claim which has not as yet, been substantiated. In fact there appears no real rationale for coming to this conclusion, other than the ancient Clan Ross was known as Clan Aindreas. As research progresses, overwhelming evidence appears to suggest that both the popularity of the name 'Andrew' and the ancient practice of a patronymic system of surnames, (particularly in Scotland), accounts for the majority of Andersons, and would indeed belie the concept of descent from a common ancestor. Likewise, theories that the name Anderson has somehow undergone a transformation from various Celtic forerunners such as MacAndrew, Gillanders, or MacGhilleAindrias, have not so far stood up to the light of fresh research. This makes it doubly important not to fall into the trap of "presumption" and "speculation" as sound research begins to uncover the true stories that lie behind present day Anderson Families. An account can be found at this link, of the name MacAndrew by Dr Robert McAndrew, which reveals much that endorses these views.

And so, the "ANDERSON ASSOCIATION," was founded on St Andrew's Day (30th November) 1993. It is perhaps the first real attempt to disperse the mists of time and discover our real past and is a response to the need that has been identified, certainly in the United Kingdom, and perhaps beyond, and is dedicated to fostering and supporting the growing interest in family history. The Association's journal "The Andrean" is published each year, together with several newsletters that serve to disseminate information with anecdotes, articles, heraldry, and specific family histories, building a comprehensive library of suitable reference material for the benefit of members and providing a focal point for all those interested in the name of Anderson. The receipt of relevant family tree information for the central archives is not only appreciated, but is invited and encouraged along with enquiries and correspondence. Future events in the form of meetings or gatherings for lectures and also visits to sites of special interest to Andersons, are envisaged.

Surnames as we know them, arose through the need to distinguish one individual from another who perhaps bore the same forename and together with the adoption of a placename as a surname (i.e. de Walton), an individual's qualification as the son of his father, had to be amongst the earliest of ways in which surnames made their first appearance. Hence "son of Andrew" went through various forms before it finally became 'Anderson.' Instances of the name really start to blossom in the fifteenth century, and many references of the name can be found in Scottish records of that era as Burghers and Members of Parliament.

That Scottish Andersons were ever a "Clan" in the true sense of the word, cannot be supported by the necessary factual information or records available to us at this time. The mid 16th century recording in the books of the Lord Lyon King of Arms of an individual styled "Anderson of that Ilk" ('Anderson of Anderson' or 'Chief of the name') could have many explanations. We do not even know the first name of this character, and to date his family have not been identified and consequently there has been no record of the succession of this name & style, which admittedly, could have resulted in the establishment of a hereditary chiefship if there had been so. But in fact no great Anderson Chief ever led us into battle broadsword in hand, and no distinct family of the name has ever received such recognition by the Lord Lyon.

In recent years, an attempt was made to establish firstly a "Commander" of the 'Clan Anderson' (sic), which subsequently developed into the idea of the same candidate becoming "Chief" of the so-called Clan. All this activity had its origins across the Atlantic in America where ideas of Scottish family or Clan history can tend towards an idealistic and romantic view. Misguided enthusiasm apart however, these matters cannot rightly be decided without the lawful input of indigenous Andersons here in the United Kingdom where the family (or clan) has its roots. Whilst no-one can prove descent from this mysterious "Anderson of that Ilk," such a course of action could not proceed on the basis of the evidence that is available today. For those who might be unfamiliar with the true cultural and legal structure of a clan, the following link may be of help. Clans Of the future little can be said, but perhaps research might turn up some quite unexpected evidence, and matters in Scotland could be very different. But moving closer to understanding just what was the actual situation, is perhaps a long road of discovery, which was perhaps the principal consideration of David A. R. Waterton-Anderson, who from the latter decades of the last century, began to conceive the idea of an association to provide a voice and a focal point for all those in the British Isles concerned with the name. The publication of the book “Anderson Families” in 1984 by Michael Arthur Anderson, was a milestone marking the turn from myth and legend towards a more consummate approach to Anderson family history, leading to a meeting between David and Michael that ultimately developed into the formation of our Association.