Andrew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Andrew

What does the name Andrew mean?

The age-old Pictish-Scottish family name Andrew is derived from the baptismal name Andrew which in Greek means manly. The name was popular as both a personal name and a surname, likely because it was the name of Scotland's patron saint. In Gaelic the name is Aindrea and Anndra which again means manly.

Early Origins of the Andrew family

The surname Andrew was first found in Caithness (Gaelic: Gallaibh), the northern tip of Scotland, a Norse/Viking controlled region from the 9th century, which became the Earldom of Caithness.

This family was strongly associated with the Clan Ross. It was originally known as the Clan Siol Andrea, meaning the race of Andrew. However, from about the year 1100 the Andrews moved south to the Dumfriesshire area of southwest Scotland. Duncan Andrew, Chief of the Clan, rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. 1

Some of the family were found further south in England, specifically at Shotley in Northumberland where "Shotley Hall is said to have been built by Dr. Andrews, physician to the first royal Duke of Cumberland." 2

Sir Edmund Andros (1637-1714) was born in London and rose to become an English colonial administrator in North America. The 1689 Boston revolt was directly attributed to his actions in New England.

Early History of the Andrew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Andrew research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1395, 1463, 1510, 1537, 1600, 1604, 1637, 1649, 1650, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1672, 1674, 1714, 1890 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Andrew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Andrew Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Andrew has appeared Andrew, Andrews, MacAndrew, Androw, Androe, Andro and many more.

Early Notables of the Andrew family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Alexander Andrew, Sergeant of Aberdeen; Phineas Andrews (ca. 1600-1661), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1661; and Sir Thomas Andrewes (died 1659), English financier...
Laurence Andrewe (fl. 1510-1537), was a French translator and printer, a native of Calais and Thomas Andrewe (fl. 1604), "was the author of a curious and somewhat tedious poem in rhymed heroics, entit...

Andrew World Ranking

In the United States, the name Andrew is the 2,528^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Andrew is ranked the 450^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,369 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Andrew is the 301^st popular surname with an estimated 2,027 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Andrew as 664^th with 9,888 people. 6

Migration of the Andrew family to Ireland

Some of the Andrew family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Andrew migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Andrew:

Andrew Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anthony Andrew, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 7
Mr. Thomas Andrew, British settler who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
William Andrew, who settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a ships captain who settled in 1634
William Andrew, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1634 7
Richard Andrew, who arrived in Virginia in 1643 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Andrew Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Scoch Andrew, who landed in Virginia in 1704 7
John Andrew, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767

Andrew Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Andrew, who landed in South Carolina in 1809 7
Henry Andrew, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Jonah Andrew, aged 30, who arrived in America in 1813 7
Mrs. Andrew, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1834 7
Peter Andrew, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1834 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Andrew Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Andrew, (b. 1870), aged 30, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th February 1900 en route to Coalfax, California, USA 9
Mr. James Andrew, (b. 1873), aged 27, Cornish miner traveling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th February 1900 en route to California, USA 9
Mr. Stephen J. Andrew, (b. 1880), aged 21, Cornish miner, from Redruth, Cornwall travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th February 1901 en route to Arizona, USA 9
Mr. Joseph Andrew, (b. 1864), aged 37, Cornish labourer, from Bodmin, Cornwall travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th September 1901 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 9
Mr. John Frederick Andrew, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th September 1903 en route to Quinnesec, Michigan, USA 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Andrew migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Andrew Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Andrew, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
Liddy Andrew, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Mary Andrew, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Moses Andrew, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
Thomas Andrew, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Andrew migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Andrew Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Andrew, British convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. Henry Andrew who was convicted in North Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 3rd October 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Mr. William Andrew, English convict who was convicted in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. John Andrew, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
James Andrew, English convict from Liverpool, Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Andrew migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Andrew Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Andrew, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
H Andrew, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842
Robert Andrew, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Mary Andrew, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
James Andrew, aged 15, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Andrew (post 1700) +

Michael Andrew (b. 1999), American competitive swimmer, gold medalist at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
Howard Andrew (1934-2021), American poker player, best known for his success at the 1976 World Series of Poker, his live tournament winnings exceeded $1,500,000
Brigadier-General Ray Andrew, American Adjutant-General of New Mexico (1944-1946) 15
Stephen W. Andrew, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 9 aerial victories
Henry Hersey Andrew (b. 1858), American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State Senate 8th District, 1898 16
Henry Andrew, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County, 1837 16
Harry E. Andrew, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1924 16
Franklin Andrew, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 2008 16
Frank M. Andrew, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1928 16
Cindy Andrew, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2008 16
... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Andrew family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Stanley Andrew, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 17

RMS Titanic

Mr. Edgar Samuel Andrew (d. 1912), aged 17, Argentine Second Class passenger from San Ambrosio, Córdoba who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 18
Mr. Frank Thomas Andrew (d. 1912), aged 30, English Second Class passenger from Redruth, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 18

Vimy Ridge

Walter Andrew (1896-1917), Canadian Private in the 78th Battalion who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917
J. Andrew (1898-1917), Canadian Lance Corporal in the 19th Battalion who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917

The Andrew Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Victrix fortuna sapientia
Motto Translation: Wisdom is the conqueror of fortune.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Ray Andrew. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Andrew/Ray/USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html