All surnames

English surname

Anderson

Son of Andrew

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

From the given name Andrew plus "-son"; also extremely common in Scotland and Scandinavia.

More English surnames

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Anderson mean?

Son of Andrew. From the given name Andrew plus "-son"; also extremely common in Scotland and Scandinavia.

Is Anderson a common surname?

Anderson is a English-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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