ANDERSON
Anderson is a patronymic surname of both Scottish and Scandinavian provenance, the latter influence being evident in the widespread use of the name throughout the British Isles. It denotes “son of Andrew”, the personal name derived from the Greek Andreas, itself a derivative of andreios meaning “manly” and ultimately from aner, “man”. The element “Andrew” was popularised in Christian tradition by the apostle Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland as well as Russia.
The earliest recorded appearance of the personal name in England occurs in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as Andreas. The first documented instance of the surname in Scotland is a John Andree, who took part in the perambulation of the boundaries of Kyrknes and Louchor in 1395. In England, the surname appears in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1272 under the spelling Rogerus Andreweson. Subsequent variations have included Andrew(e)s, Andress, Andriss, Enderson, McAndrew and Kendrew.
Anderson is classified as a “from name of parent” type surname, indicating a direct filial relationship with a father named Andrew. The name is predominantly associated with the Christian faith and the English language, reflecting its long‑standing use among the populations of England and Scotland. Notable early bearers include William Anderson, an emigrant who sailed from London on the Alexander bound for the Barbadoes in May 1635, and the christening of Neal Anderson, son of Erasmus and Mary, on 19 March 1698 at St. Katherine by the Tower.
In contemporary times the surname Anderson remains widespread across English‑speaking countries, retaining its original meaning whilst demonstrating the historical intertwining of Scandinavian, Scottish and English naming conventions. Its persistence illustrates the enduring legacy of patronymic formation within British onomastic tradition.
Typical given names associated with the Anderson surname
Male
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Anders
- Amderson
- Anderosn
- Naderson
- Ander
- Anderdon
- Anderdown
- Anderes
- Andereson
- Andern
- Andero
- Anderon
- Andersch
- Andersen
- Andersene
- Andersin
- Andersn
- Andersohn
- Andersons
- Anderssen
- Andersson
- Anderston
- Anderton
- Andeson
- Andesson
- Andorson
- Andreasen
- Andreasian
- Andreason
- Andreassen
- Andreasson
- Andreesen
- Andrerson
- Andresen
- Andreson
- Andressen
- Andrewson
- Andriessen
- Andrisan
- Andrisani
- Andrson
- Anerson
- Ankerson
- Annderson
- Annerson
- Aunderson
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Anderson in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Anderson are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 111,039 people named Anderson in the UK. That makes it the 45th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,705 in a million people in Britain are named Anderson.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Anderson
- Ian Anderson - Scottish musician, leader of Jethro Tull
- Gillian Anderson - -American film, television and theatre actress, activist and writer
- Paul W. S. Anderson - Film director, producer and screenwriter
- Paul Anderson - Actor
- Jon Anderson - Singer
- Pamela Anderson - Canadian-American actress and model
- Jacob Anderson - Actor and singer
- James Anderson - Cricketer, born 1982
- Joe Anderson - Actor
- Viv Anderson - Football player
- Clive Anderson - Television Presenter, lawyer
- Wes Anderson - American filmmaker
- William West Anderson - American actor (1928 to 2017)
- Paul Thomas Anderson - American film director, screenwriter, and producer
- Brett Anderson - Singer-songwriter
- Gerry Anderson - Television creator and filmmaker, known for his "Supermarionation" puppet animated works (1929 to 2012)
- Leomie Anderson -
- Lindsay Anderson - Film director (1923 to 1994)
- Gary Anderson - Scottish darts player
- Orlando Anderson - American person of interest in the investigation into the murder of American rapper Tupac Shakur (1974 to 1998)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.