Anderson is a well-established patronymic surname formed from the personal name Andrew. It became hereditary in several regions and appears widely in British and later North American records.
Meaning and Origin
The surname literally means son of Andrew. In Scotland and northern England, patronymic constructions of this type became fixed family names over time.
Geographic Distribution
Anderson is common in Scotland, England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with strong representation in communities shaped by British migration.
Historical Records and Context
Medieval and early modern registers include many forms of the name, and the surname became more standardized in parish, legal, and census documentation from the early modern period onward.
Spelling Variants
- Andersson
- Andison
- MacAndrew
Notable People
- Hans Christian Andersen (writer, variant surname form)
- Marian Anderson (singer)