Surname Andrews - Meaning and Origin
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Emotional Voyage through my DNA: Redefining the Andrews Lineage with iGENEA
Deciding to undertake a DNA test with iGENEA was an emotionally charged journey that reshaped my understanding of my lineage, notably transforming my perception of the Andrews surname by tracing it back to a Viking heritage.
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read moreAndrews: What does the surname Andrews mean?
The surname Andrews is of Greek origin, derived from the personal name "Andreas". This name means "manly" or "masculine" derived from the Greek term "andreios" which has its origins in "aner", or "man". It was initially used as a patronymic name, meaning son of Andrew. It could denote a servant or follower of a man named Andrew as well. Andrew was one of Christ's apostles in Christian tradition, who is believed to have spread Christianity in Greece and Asia Minor. Beloved by the Greeks, his cult spread to Western Europe via Italy and France, making the name Andrew (and its derivatives) popular across the continent. Various cultures have adapted the name into their vernacular, and it has been Anglicized primarily into Andrews and Anderson. Therefore, the surname Andrews symbolizes masculinity, strength, and a historical religious lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisAndrews: Where does the name Andrews come from?
The surname Andrews is of patronymic origin, deriving from the personal name "Andrew". It is a popular English and Scottish last name. The name Andrew, largely popular due to Saint Andrew, a Christian Apostle and the patron saint of Scotland, means 'manly' or 'brave' from the Greek 'Andreas'.
Over centuries, the surname Andrews has developed into several variations across different countries, such as the French André, Italian Andrea, and Spanish Andrés, among others. The surname frequently appears with an "s" at the end, denoting "son of Andrew".
Today, the surname Andrews is common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the British surname distribution map, the surname is densely populated in North West England and South West Scotland. As per U.S. census data, Andrews is most prevalent in Texas but widely distributed across all states. It also appears in the 44th position in the list of most common surnames in England.
Variations of the surname Andrews
The surname Andrews originated from the personal name Andrew, which means 'manly' in Greek. Derived from this, the surname has multiple spelling variations and forms including Andrus, Andress, Druce, Drews, McAndrew, Anders, Andrea, Andro, Ondrej, Jendrus and Endres.
Certain surnames like MacAndrew, McAndrew, and MacAndie indicate a Scottish lineage and mean 'son of Andrew.' A common Scottish variant of the surname is Anderson which means 'son of Andrew.'
Furthermore, the surname has been adopted and adapted by different cultures worldwide, resulting in surnames such as Andrzejewski in Polish or Andreou in Greek.
In terms of regional variation, in regions where patronymic surnames are popular, 'son of Andrew' might turn into 'Andrewson' or 'Andrewsen'. Conversely, in regions where matronymic surnames are popular, 'Daughter of Andrew' might turn into 'Andrewdaughter' or 'Andrewdottir'.
Certain transliterations of the name Andrew in different languages also serve as surnames. For instance, the Russian 'Andreyev' or the Ukrainian 'Andriyenko'.
However, it's important to note that while these surnames share the same origin, they've developed independently across different geographic regions and cultures and thus might have distinct cultural significances and connotations.
Famous people with the name Andrews
- Julie Andrews: An English actress, singer, and author known for her roles in "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music."
- Edward Andrews: An American actor featured in numerous films like "Elmer Gantry" and "Tora! Tora! Tora!"
- Naveen Andrews: An English actor known for his roles in "Lost" and "The English Patient."
- V.C. Andrews: An American novelist famous for her "Flowers in the Attic" series.
- Dana Andrews: An American film actor known for his roles in "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "Laura."
- Erin Andrews: An American sportscaster and television personality for Fox NFL.
- Eamonn Andrews: An Irish television presenter.
- Giuseppe Andrews: An American film actor, director, and musician.
- Tige Andrews: An American character actor known for his role in "Mod Squad."
- Roy Chapman Andrews: An American explorer and paleontologist, known as the real-life inspiration for Indiana Jones.
- V. C. Andrews: An American novelist, famous for writing gothic family sagas.
- Jessica Andrews: an American country music singer known for her hit single "Who I Am".
- Ruby Andrews: a Chicago-based soul singer.
- Harvey Andrews: an English singer-songwriter and poet.
- Thomas Andrews: an Irish shipbuilder and the principal designer of the RMS Titanic.