The Surname originated in France about 1100 AD and the Normans brought it to Scotland one hundred and fifty years later. Anderson means "Son of Andrew" or "servant of Andrew", Andrew being the patron saint of Scotland. There is no specific place where the Clan originated and the name was used all over Scotland by groups unrelated to each other.
The Clan
The Clan has been around for hundreds of years. Though it is said there is no exact place of origin, the Kinrara manuscript contains details of a claim that the MacAndrews came to Badenoch from Moidart about 1400 AD.
The Tartan
Mostly blue, it is one of only a few Scottish tartans woven with seven colours, all others bearing no more than six colours. The distinctive and elaborate Anderson tartan can be found in many minor variations dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Highland Society of London began to collect specimens of tartans in 1815, but the Anderson sample appears to have been added at a later date, there being no reference to its place in the collection of early records.
The Clan
The Clan has been around for hundreds of years. Though it is said there is no exact place of origin, the Kinrara manuscript contains details of a claim that the MacAndrews came to Badenoch from Moidart about 1400 AD.
The Tartan
Mostly blue, it is one of only a few Scottish tartans woven with seven colours, all others bearing no more than six colours. The distinctive and elaborate Anderson tartan can be found in many minor variations dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Highland Society of London began to collect specimens of tartans in 1815, but the Anderson sample appears to have been added at a later date, there being no reference to its place in the collection of early records.
The Crest
This consists of a strap and buckle encircling an oak tree. The oak tree rests on the "wreath", which for the Andersons is a twisted strand of red and silver threads. The wreath has six loops, with silver and red in an alternating pattern. Silver is the first loop on the left side, and red is the last loop on the right side. All Andersons are entitled to wear the crest as a sign of being a clansman.
The Motto
STAND SURE reflects the spirit of confidence of the Anderson Clan from a place of strength with the sturdy dependence of the oak tree.
Septs …. some of the divisions within the Anderson Clan
Anderson, Andrew, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart.
Interestingly, my birth father is an Anderson and my grandmother was a McTear !
This consists of a strap and buckle encircling an oak tree. The oak tree rests on the "wreath", which for the Andersons is a twisted strand of red and silver threads. The wreath has six loops, with silver and red in an alternating pattern. Silver is the first loop on the left side, and red is the last loop on the right side. All Andersons are entitled to wear the crest as a sign of being a clansman.
The Motto
STAND SURE reflects the spirit of confidence of the Anderson Clan from a place of strength with the sturdy dependence of the oak tree.
Septs …. some of the divisions within the Anderson Clan
Anderson, Andrew, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart.
Interestingly, my birth father is an Anderson and my grandmother was a McTear !