History: Anderson: Brady Family Tree in Western Australia

What's in a Name?

Anderson (Scotland)

http//www.tartans.com/clans/Anderson/anderson.html

There are two versions of the name Anderson (the Lowland form) and MacAndrew (the Highland version), both mean son of Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

The MacAndrews were renowned for their fighting qualities and were part of the Confederation of Highland clans, the Clan Chattan.

The Lowland Andersons achieved fame in different quarters. Alexander Anderson's early 17th century treaties on geometry and algebra gained European recognition. James Gregory, the inventor of the reflecting telescope, was an Anderson. In 1773, James Anderson from Midlothian, wrote the entry on monsoons for the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, predicting the discoveries to be made by Captain Cook. John Anderson (1726-1796), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, invented a way to reduce the recoil in a gun, and helped found one of Scotland's eight universities (Strathclyde University).

Much importance and gravity is claimed by Scottish families and clans which claim descent from a common forefather. Tartans for a clan or family usually exist in one pattern and another more subdued, the latter was for daily use in the mountains or alternatively hunting. One of the better known and most respected tartans is that of the 42nd Foot Regiment better known as the Blackwatch.

The Scottish surname Anderson is of family origin. Surnames of family name origin are the most numerous and oldest type of surname. The popularity of early given names was determined either by the auspicious meaning of the elements or in honour of religious cult figures such as early christian saints and biblical characters. These surnames were usually derived from the name of a person's father. In this case the surname was given to one who was the son of Andrew. The given name itself is derived from the Greek Andreas which means manly and was also the name of the first of Jesus Christ's disciples and Patron saint of Scotland.

It is often assumed that surnames were adopted by the user when, in fact, very few were. As there was no need for the individual to distinguish himself from his peers, surnames were used mainly to assist in the ready identification of the person for the purpose of tax payment, church records, transfer of land, military service and any official documentation.

The earliest recorded references of the surname Anderson or a variant appear to be found in Scottish documents from at least the 13th century when David le fiz Andreu burgess of Peebles, and Duncan fiz Andrew of Dumfrieshire, took the oath of fealty in 1296AD. Later references include Henry Androsoun who leased part of Balmyle around the year 1443. Records also show that Jhon Enderson was a tenant of Stobo in 1529. Also around this time, John Andirstoun was commissioner to parliament for Coupar in 1585. A century later, John Andersone was mentioned in records in 1662. More recently, records show that James Anderson received a pension for his `Vindication of Scots independence', in 1704.

BLAZON OF ARMS Argent a saltire wave between two mullets in chief and base gules and as many boars' heads erased in the flanks azure.

CREST An oak tree proper.

MOTTO Stand sure.

ORIGIN Scotland

Anderson (Ireland)

Evidence of settlement and occupation of Ireland can be shown to exist since 6000 BC. Evidence shows the first settlers were mesolithic hunters. About 795 AD. the Norsemen began invading Irish villages and towns during these invasions they seized and fortified the ports of Dublin and Annagassan in 838AD. The Norsemen were expelled by Aed Finnliath King of Ireland between 862- 879 AD.

The surname Anderson is of family name origin. Surnames, also designated as family names, or alternatively a last name were added to a given, or baptismal name. This name was in many cases inherited and held collectively by members of a family group. Initially surnames identified one by connection to a family member foremost being the father, eg. John (son) Jack (son) etc. In this instance the name is ultimately of English origin and means 'the son of Andrew' as the name was originally spelled Andrewson. It was inevitable that the name would be shortened to Anderson. This itself is one of the most numerous English names in Ireland and it is found mainly in north-east Ulster.

The surname most probably arrived in Ireland during the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century or more recently, during the Plantation Periods. The Plantation Periods of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries were a result of English incursions inflicted on the Irish population. In the 17th century the defeat of the Irish by the English at the battle of Kinsale in 1602, and the confiscation of their estates resulted in the settlement of Scottish and English families on the land which was once owned by these Irish families.

Early records of the surname Anderson include reference to Joseph Anderson who was a resident of Ulster in 1701. Heather Anderson was documented as paying Poll Tax in 1746. The Poll Tax, otherwise known as Octroi, was a tax levied by local authorities or commune on certain goods which entered the precincts of their authority. This form of tax of one shilling (10c) per person was introduced in early Roman times. In 1380 this levy led to a revolt as a uniform tax was imposed on each individual.

BLAZON OF ARMS Argent, a chevron sable between three crosses crosslet of the last.

CREST A water spaniel passant or.

MOTTO Stand sure.

ORIGIN Ireland

Anderson (England)

The English surname Anderson is of family origin. Surnames of family name origin are derived from the given or baptismal name of an ancestor. This name was in many cases inherited and held collectively by members of a family group. Initially surnames identified a person by connection to a family member, foremost being the father. In this case the name means `the son of Andrew'. The given name itself is derived from the Greek `Andreas' which means manly. The popularity of the given name was influenced by the fact that this was the name of the first of Jesus Christ's disciples who is also the patron saint of Scotland.

The earliest recorded references of the surname Anderson or a variant appear to be found in English documents from at least the 14th century when Rogerus Andreweson was mentioned in the Poll Tax of Yorkshire in of 1379. The Poll Tax, otherwise known as Octroi, was a tax levied by local authorities or commune on certain goods which entered the precincts of their authority. This form of tax of one shilling (10c) per person was introduced in early Roman times. In 1380 this levy led to a revolt as a uniform tax was imposed on each individual. A century later, Martin Aunderson was mentioned in a list of the Corpus Christi Guild in 1495.

Later records show that Richard Anderson and Elizabeth Hawkins applied for a marriage licence from the Bishop of London in 1611. In January 1620 the Lord Mayor of London ordered a collection to be taken in each parish, assisted by the constable, towards the clothing, feeding and transportion of 100 poor children to Virginia. Among these childred was Thomas Anderson who was brought in from Newgate and sent to Virginia in February 1620. More recently, Elizabeth Anderson, aged 32 years, was among those convicts who formed part of the First Fleet when she was transported to New South Wales in 1787. The arms described below were granted in 1794.

BLAZON OF ARMS Argent a saltire engrailed between four mullets gules in the dexter point of a chief azure a blazing comet proper.

CREST A phoenix in flames proper.

MOTTO Providentia.

Translation By providence.

ORIGIN England