Template:Wp-Anderson (surname)

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Anderson is a surname deriving from a patronymic meaning 'son of Ander/Andrew' (itself derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning 'man' or 'manly').

In Scotland, the name first appeared in records of the 14th century as Fitz Andreu (meaning 'son of Andrew'), and developed in various forms by the Scottish Gaelic patronymic of MacGhilleAndrais which means 'servant of St. Andrew'. Variations of this name were MacAndrew, Gillanders and Anderson. The name soon migrated to other parts of Scotland due to the popularity of the name Andrew as associated with the Patron Saint of Scotland, and the largest grouping lies in the north-east of Scotland from the Mearns through Aberdeenshire, Banff, and Moray.

In England, the very first recorded spelling of the family name is probably that of William Andreu, which was dated 1237, in the ancient charters of the county of Buckinghamshire, England, in the year 1237.

Anderson is the eighth most frequent surname in Scotland and 52nd most common in England.

The Swedish variant Andersson (originating from Anders meaning Andrew, and son) is the most common surname in the country.

The Scandinavian forms Andersson and Andersen (Norway and Denmark) were often modified to Anderson by immigrants to English-speaking countries of the New World. This in addition to the Scottish origin surname led to Anderson becoming one of the most common surnames in Anglophone North America. The name was the eleventh most common surname reported in the 1990 United States census, accounting for 0.3% of the population. It was the twelfth most common surname reported in the 2000 United States Census. Anderson is also one of the most popular surnames in Canada.^[1]

Other spelling variations include: Andison, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andirsoone, Andresoun, Androson, Andirston, Andresson, Andrewson, and Andresen.