Surname Andrus - Meaning and Origin

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Embarking on a journey of discovery with an iGENEA DNA test proved enlightening, offering a profound connection to my surname, Andrus, and its historical significance. The test unraveled the fascinating ancestral backstory of my surname, challenging previous beliefs about my origins and identity and opening me up to appreciate the rich, diverse lineage within my DNA.

S. Andrus

Andrus: What does the surname Andrus mean?

The surname Andrus is of Greek origin, derived from the personal name Andreas, meaning 'man' or 'manly'. The name Andreas itself is derived from 'aner' which in Greek means ‘man’. So, Andrus can be translated as son of man, warrior, or manly. It is derived from a Greek equivalent of the name Andrew. The use of Andrus as a last name has multiple variations across different cultures due to regional linguistic influences, including Andre, Andress, and Andrews. Although it is most commonly found in Europe, the Andrus surname is now prevalent in many parts of the world due to immigration and the spread of Christianity, which venerates Saint Andrew as a prominent figure.

Andrus: Where does the name Andrus come from?

The surname Andrus has multiple origins, denoting that it emerged independently in several different regions. One popular belief is that it comes from the personal name "Andreas," which has Greek roots and means "manly." This form was well received among Christians due to Saint Andrew, the apostle who was a brother of Simon Peter.

One version of the Andrus surname exists in Estonia and it's considered an Estonian version of the personal name Andreas or Andrew. The second origin point is Scotland, where the surname Andrus is thought to have come from the patronymic name Andrew. The name is particularly prevalent in regions of eastern Scotland.

In the United States, the name was also quite popular among people who were enslaved, who often took the names of their enslavers when they were freed. It's still common in the United States today, especially in states like Utah and Idaho. However, due to migration and other factors, Andrus is a surname that can be found in many different countries around the world today.

Variations of the surname Andrus

The surname Andrus is derived from a personal name, Andre, which is itself derived from the name Andrew. Thus, various versions of the surname can be found that are related to the given name Andrew. These might include Andrews, Anders, Andersen, Anderson, Andriessen, Andrius, Andrysiak, Andrusiak, and Andruszkiewicz. Additionally, it’s also likely to encounter different spellings of the surname that might include Androus, Andrusz, Andrusch, and Andruschek amongst others.

Also, depending on the region, the personal names 'Andrea' and 'Andres' can get converted to surnames like DeAndres, DeAndrus, DiAndrea, D'Andrea and so on.

Keep in mind though, that while surnames might have similar origins, over time they’ve developed their own independent histories and distributions. So, while Andrus and Andrews might both be derived from Andrew, the families carrying these names might have no recent common ancestry. Thus, surname equivalents and variants should be seen as possible clues and not definite links when tracing ancestry.

Famous people with the name Andrus

• Napoleon Bonaparte Andrus: A prominent Methodist Episcopal minister from the United States.
• Cecil Andrus: He was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of Idaho for 14 years, from 1971 to 1977, and then again from 1987 to 1995. He also served as U.S. Secretary of Interior from 1977 to 1981 under President Carter.
• Elvis Andrus: A Venezuelan-American professional baseball shortstop for the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Oakland Athletics.
• Ethel Percy Andrus: An American educator and the founder of AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).
• Gerald Andrus: Commonly known as Jerry Andrus, he was an American magician and writer famous for his innovative optical illusions.
• John Emory Andrus: A U.S. businessman, philanthropist, and politician, who served as a Congressman.
• Félix Andrus: A French musician and singer, best known for his 1962 hit song "Sea, Sex and Sun".
• Marc Andrus: A bishop in the Episcopal Church for the Diocese of California.
• Ernie Andrus: A World War II veteran who became famous for running across the United States starting at age 90.
• Anthony Andrus: A former American football player who played for the New York Giants in the 1940s.
• Brittney Andrus: An American voice actress.

Other surnames

AndrulatAndruleitAndrulisAndrussAndruszewiczAndruszkiewiczAndruszkowiczAndruszowicz