Clan Anderson
Encyclopedia
Clan Anderson is a Scottish clan
. The clan can be considered an armigerous clan
because it does not a have a clan chief
recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
.
is an English
and Scottish
patronymic
surname
, meaning 'son of Andrew
'. In this form, it is more common in the Lowlands
, but it is widespread in Scotland in different forms. In the Highlands
, it was rendered as MacAndrew, of medieval Scottish origin. Both names share the same Scottish Gaelic derivation of 'Gilleaindreas' - literally a servant of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron saint
.
Though it is said there is no exact place of origin, it is important not to confuse the contents of the Kinrara manuscript which contains details of a claim that the Clan MacGilleandrish came to Badenoch
from Moidart
c.1400. This family (son of Leandrish)is not connected to any known Andersons and no evidence has been found to support the idea that their name became Anderson. The tales of the vengeance of Iain beg MacAindrea on cattle lifters who raided Badenoch may point to a connection with a MacAndrews family. However, there is no disputing the intellectual pedigree that his kinfolk
subsequently established.
The tradition of scholarly erudition has significant roots in Anderson clan history throughout all the disciplines. This tradition was first established by Alexander Anderson
who published works on geometry
and algebra
in Paris between 1612 and 1619. His cousin, David Anderson of Finshaugh, shared a similar skill in mechanics and mathematics that he applied to removing a large rock that had obstructed the entrance to Aberdeen
harbour. This achievement earned him the nickname
'Davie-Do-a'-Things.'
As above, the claim that the lands of Clan Andrew are in Badenoch is not supported by the extensive researches made into the known pedigrees of the family. It is the Clan Leandrish that is recorded in the Kinrara manuscript as coming to the lands of Badenoch, in the heart of the Chattan Confederation
territory, from Moidart around 1400, but this is not the Andersons. The largest grouping of Andersons lie in a swathe of lands through Aberdeen, Banff & Moray and with many intermarriages with ladies of the Clan Gordon
, bringing many lands and properties, they are as heavily tied into the Gordons as any other Clan.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
. The clan can be considered an armigerous clan
Armigerous clan
An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
because it does not a have a clan chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
.
Origins and history
AndersonAnderson (surname)
Anderson, Andersson or Andersen is a surname deriving from a patronymic meaning "son of Anders/Andrew"...
is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, meaning 'son of Andrew
Andrew
Andrew is the English form of a given name and surname common in many countries. Alternatives include André, Andrey, Andrei, Andrej, András, Andrés, Andreas, Andreu, Anders and Endrew. ‘Andrew’ is a common name in English-speaking countries. In the 1990s it was among the top ten most popular names...
'. In this form, it is more common in the Lowlands
Scottish Lowlands
The Scottish Lowlands is a name given to the Southern half of Scotland.The area is called a' Ghalldachd in Scottish Gaelic, and the Lawlands ....
, but it is widespread in Scotland in different forms. In the Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
, it was rendered as MacAndrew, of medieval Scottish origin. Both names share the same Scottish Gaelic derivation of 'Gilleaindreas' - literally a servant of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
.
Though it is said there is no exact place of origin, it is important not to confuse the contents of the Kinrara manuscript which contains details of a claim that the Clan MacGilleandrish came to Badenoch
Badenoch
Badenoch is a traditional district which today forms part of Badenoch and Strathspey, an area of Highland Council, in Scotland, bounded on the north by the Monadhliath Mountains, on the east by the Cairngorms and Braemar, on the south by Atholl and the Grampians, and on the west by Lochaber...
from Moidart
Moidart
Moidart is a district in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.Moidart lies to the west of Fort William and is very remote. Loch Shiel cuts off the south-east boundary of the district. Moidart includes the townships of Dorlin, Mingarry, Kinlochmoidart and Glenuig. At Dorlin is located the ancient fortress...
c.1400. This family (son of Leandrish)is not connected to any known Andersons and no evidence has been found to support the idea that their name became Anderson. The tales of the vengeance of Iain beg MacAindrea on cattle lifters who raided Badenoch may point to a connection with a MacAndrews family. However, there is no disputing the intellectual pedigree that his kinfolk
Kinfolk
The general meaning of the term kinfolk is "relatives, family".It may also refer to:* Kinfolk , a 2007 Hip Hop album by Ali & Gipp* Kinfolk Kia Shine, a rapper and record producer...
subsequently established.
The tradition of scholarly erudition has significant roots in Anderson clan history throughout all the disciplines. This tradition was first established by Alexander Anderson
Alexander Anderson
Alexander Anderson is the name of:* Alexander Anderson , Scottish mathematician* Alexander Anderson , American illustrator* Alexander O...
who published works on geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
and algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
in Paris between 1612 and 1619. His cousin, David Anderson of Finshaugh, shared a similar skill in mechanics and mathematics that he applied to removing a large rock that had obstructed the entrance to Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
harbour. This achievement earned him the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
'Davie-Do-a'-Things.'
As above, the claim that the lands of Clan Andrew are in Badenoch is not supported by the extensive researches made into the known pedigrees of the family. It is the Clan Leandrish that is recorded in the Kinrara manuscript as coming to the lands of Badenoch, in the heart of the Chattan Confederation
Chattan Confederation
Clan Chattan or the Chattan Confederation is a confederation of 16 Scottish clans who joined for mutual defence or blood bonds. Its leader was the chief of Clan Mackintosh.-Origins:The origin of the name Chattan is disputed...
territory, from Moidart around 1400, but this is not the Andersons. The largest grouping of Andersons lie in a swathe of lands through Aberdeen, Banff & Moray and with many intermarriages with ladies of the Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
, bringing many lands and properties, they are as heavily tied into the Gordons as any other Clan.
Clan profile
- Motto: "Stand sure"
- Crest: An Oak Tree
- Gaelic Name: Mac Ghille Aindrais
- Badge: An Oak Tree Proper
- Lands: Badenoch
- Origin of Name: "Son of Andrew"
- Tartan: First seen in 1815 when collected by the "Highland Society of London." It has an azure field and it is one of several Scottish tartans woven with seven colours.
External links
- Anderson Association
- Clan Anderson Society Matrikel öfwer Swea rikes ridderskap och adel ... (1754) (Alexander Anderson of Dowhill - noble family in Sweden)