Surname MacAndro - Meaning and Origin
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MacAndro: What does the surname MacAndro mean?
The last name MacAndro is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac-an-droma, meaning “son of Andro”. Andro is an abbreviated form of the male Scottish Gaelic given name Andrew. Therefore, the name MacAndro literally translates to “son of Andrew.”
The earliest found record of the surname is from the 16th century, when a man by the name of John MacAndro was recorded to have conducted a marriage. In the 1700s, the first recorded spelling of the surname was written as “MacAndrow,” which was found in the records of the East Lothian parish of Whitekirk in 1704.
The Scottish people have always been a proud people, and the surnames they carry often reflect this pride. By adopting the surname MacAndro, individuals were honoring their ancestral father, Andrew. This often served as a sign of respect for the family ties that they shared with their fellow Scots. The name MacAndro was a way to recognize the family’s roots.
Today, the name MacAndro is still commonly found throughout Scotland, as well as in other areas of the world. It is a testament to the strength and pride of the Scottish people, as well as a reminder of the importance of family ties.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAndro: Where does the name MacAndro come from?
The surname MacAndro is a Scottish and Irish name. In Scotland, the name is primarily found in the Highlands region, particularly in the Outer Hebrides Islands, as well as the Isle of Lewis. It can also be found in Aberdeenshire and throughout the Highlands. In Ireland, the MacAndro surname is found primarily from County Donegal to County Kerry, along the north and western coast.
MacAndro is also a fairly common Nasrid Muslim (or Moorish) name from the former Granada (located in present-day southern Spain). Historically, the name was written as “McAndrew” but was changed to “MacAndro” during the 16th century, when the Spanish authorities prohibited the use of the Latin alphabet in that region.
Today, the last name MacAndro is widespread throughout the British Isles and parts of Spain, but its largest concentrations are found in Scotland, Ireland, and the former Granada. It’s also a very popular name in North America, particularly in Canada and the United States, where its ranks among the top 5,000 most common surnames in the United States.
Variations of the surname MacAndro
The surname MacAndro (sometimes spelled Macandro) is a Scottish patronymic from the Gaelic "MacIaindro," meaning "son of John." Variants of the name include MacAindra, MacAindro, MacAndrew, MacAndroe, MacAndroy, MacAndry, MacCander, MacJandrew, and MacSandro.
The MacAndrew variation is the most common in Scotland and Canada, while forms such as MacCander are more common in Ireland. These two versions may have emerged as two separate families. There are also numerous variations found outside the British Isles. Doble, Ackendorf, Mekander, Pander, Jander, Keinder, Konder, and Könner are all variants of MacAndro appearing in the Netherlands. There is also a version of the name in Pennsylvania Dutch, Makhändre.
In Canada and the United States, the most widespread variation is MacAndrew, and in Scotland the most widespread variation is MacAndro, which is often shortened to MacN. Other variations of the surname in Scotland, and the United Kingdom at large, include MacAndra, MacJandrew, and MacSandro.
Over time, the MacAndro surname has been adapted and changed depending on geographic location and language spoken. Whatever form the surname takes, there is no doubting its Scottish origin.
Famous people with the name MacAndro
- James MacAndrew: Scottish physician, anatomist, and author
- Henry MacAndrew: 19th-century Minister of the Church of Scotland
- Maisie MacAndrew: Scottish Sculptor and daughter of Henry MacAndrew
- Tom MacAndrew: American actor known for his Academy-Award nominated role in "Trading Places"
- Christy MacAndrew: Scottish chef and author of the book "The Scottish Kitchen"
- John MacAndrew: Scottish landscape artist and watercolour painter
- Arthur MacAndrew: British politician and statesman from the Isle of Skye
- Kenneth MacAndrew: American aerospace engineer and test pilot
- Alexander MacAndrew: American lawyer and diplomat
- Hugh MacAndrew: Canadian photographer and founding president of the Canadian Press