Clan Anderson, Anderson Name Study

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Anderson

Part of the Anderson Name Study

directed from The Clans Anderson and MacAndrew appear to mean simply Son of Andrew, but it is contended that even in its English form it may denote a servant of Scotland’s patron saint. This is certainly the meaning of the Gaelic form of the name Gillanders, Servant of Andrew. It seems likely that Andersons are of diverse stock, however their names are spelt. Although arms were granted to an Anderson of that Ilk in the 15th century, there is in fact no place from which the name can derive.

However, it rests on an extremely solid foundation of intellectual achievement, which first received European recognition when Alexander Anderson published his works on geometry and algebra at Paris between 1612 and 1619. He was born in Aberdeen, and his cousin David Anderson of Finshaugh was more locally celebrated for his mathematicsal skill. He earned the nick-name of Davie-Do-a’-Things, and his most famous achievement was to remove a large rock that had obstructed the entrance to Aberdeen harbour. The family talent passed through a daughter to his grandson, James Gregory, the inventor of the reflecting telescope.

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.

Sticker for use on profiles: {{User Scottish Clan|tartan=Scotland_-_Clan_Tartans-2.jpg|clan=Clan Anderson}}