Show ContentsSandes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Sandes

What does the name Sandes mean?

The ancestors of the Sandes surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived throughout ancient Britain as the name literally means "dweller on sandy soil or by the sands." 1 2

"The vocable sand is found in composition of many localities, but the surnames Sand, Sands may mean a messenger, one sent; from German tenden, Goth, sandjan, Anglo-Saxon sendan." 3

Early Origins of the Sandes family

The surname Sandes was first found in Surrey where William de Sandes was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. A few years later, Walter de la Sonde was found in the Feet of Fines for Surrey in 1248, and later again, Andrew atte Sonde was registered in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Other early entries include: Reginald del Sond in Suffolk in 1298, Thomas Attensandes in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301 and Gilbert del Sandes in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cumberland in 1332. 1

One of the earliest records of the family was John Sandale (or Sandall), from Wheatley within Long Sandale, Yorkshire. He was Lord High Treasurer (1310-1311) and (1314-1318). Later he was Bishop of Winchester (1316-1319.) 4

Many families were caught up the religious turmoil of the time and this family was no exception in Gloucestershire. "The first that was called to shed his blood was the Rev. John Sands, or Sandys. Ordained priest at Rheims, he came on the English mission in 1584. Labouring diligently in the work of the ministry, he was apprehended, and was soon condemned to the death of a traitor, for his priestly character. Paul Tracye, of Stanwey, then Sheriff of the county, assisted at his barbarous execution in Gloucester on 2nd August, 1586." 5

Walter atte Sond was bailiff of Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1335 and about the same time, "Earl Sondes owned a large estate in Norfolk." 6

In northern England we found Johannes del Sandes listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 and the Estates and Families of Cumberland, Cumberland included an entry for Thomas del Sandes, 16 Richard II (during the sixteenth year of King Richard II's reign.) 7

Further to the north in Scotland, the family came "from the lands of Sands in the parish of Tulliallan in Fife, which in 1494 were in possession of Thomas Sands and his mother, Isobel Hudson. John Sands was chaplain at Polkelly in 1487, Thomas Sandis of that Ilk was tenant in the quarter lands of Lurg near Culross, 1587." 8

Early History of the Sandes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sandes research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1468, 1471, 1510, 1523, 1549, 1571, 1576, 1587, 1589, 1600, 1603, 1618, 1620, 1624, 1633, 1638, 1645, 1677 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sandes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sandes Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Sandes include Sand, Sands, Sandes, Sandis, Sandall, Saundes, Sonds and many more.

Early Notables of the Sandes family

Distinguished members of the family include George Sondes, Earl of Feversham (1600-1677), born in 1600 at Lees Court, in the parish of Sheldwich, near Feversham in Kent, son and heir of Sir Richard...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sandes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sandes family to Ireland

Some of the Sandes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Sandes migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Sandes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Sandes, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 9
  • Margtt Sandes, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 9
  • George Sandes, who landed in Virginia in 1664 9
Sandes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Lydia Sandes, who landed in Virginia in 1701 9

Sandes 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:

Sandes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Robert F. M. G. Sandes, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1863 10
  • Thomas G. Sandes, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1863 10
  • Mr. Robert F.M.G. Sandes, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th February 1863 11
  • Mr. Thomas G. Sandes, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th February 1863 11


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  7. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  8. 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)
  9. 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)
  10. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  11. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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