Andrews
What is the origin of the last name Andrews?
Meaning and origin
The last name Andrews traces its origins to the medieval English personal name "Andrew," derived from the Greek name "Andreas," meaning 'man' or 'warrior.' The name became popular in Britain following the spread of Christianity and the veneration of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. Over time, the patronymic suffix "-s" was added, indicating descent or belonging to the family of Andrew. Thus, the last name Andrews denotes "son of Andrew" or "descendant of Andrew," and can be commonly found among English and Scottish lineages.
The longer story
The last name Andrews is of English origin and is derived from the personal name Andrew. Here are some key facts about the surname:
The name Andrew is believed to have originated from the Greek name Andreas, which means "man" or "manly." The Greek name was brought to Britain by the early Christians and later became popular due to the cult of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.
The surname Andrews is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the personal name of an ancestor. In this case, it is derived from the given name Andrew, indicating that the original bearer of the surname was the son of someone named Andrew.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#218
Andrews was the 218th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 133,799 people, about 45 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Andrews
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Andrews is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.