Origin of the surname Saunders

This famous surname of either English or Greek derivation has truly ancient origins. The name in its various spellings has long been accepted as being a derivative of the Greek personal name 'Alexander' which was recorded from 2000 B.C., but it is now certain that for many nameholders, the origin is Olde English and locational from Sanderstead in Surrey. This latter place was recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of the year 871 a.d as 'Sondenstede' - the house on the sandy land. The Grecian 'Alexander' translates as "Defender of Men", a meaning which contributed greatly to its world wide popularity.

'Alexander' was introduced into England by the Crusaders, who, as the Knights of St.John, used the island of Crete as their base for the many fruitless attempts to conquer the Holy Land. The known forms of the name are Saunder, Sandar, and Sander, whilst Saunders, Sanders, and Sandars, are patronymics. Early examples of the surname recording include William Sandre of Kent in 1316, and Richard Saunder of Stafford in the Subsidy Rolls of that county for the year 1332. Other examples include Sir Edward Saunders, Chief-baron of the exchequer to Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1559, whilst Francis Sanders, (1648 - 1710), a Jesuit priest was confessor to the exiled King James 11 of England, at the palace of St. Germain in France. The Sanders of Sanders Place, Surrey, claim descent from Watkin de Sanderstead in pre Norman times. The coat of arms has the blazon of a black field charged with an ermine chevron between three bulls heads cabossed silver. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Sandres, which was dated 1275, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Saunders. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname saunders is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of saunders. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname saunders is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of saunders.

The surname Saunders around the world

It is common for surnames like saunders to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname saunders provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Saunders

The historical journey of the surname saunders can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of saunders. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname saunders, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of saunders developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname saunders.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname saunders, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about saunders and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Saunders

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all saunderss who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname saunders were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname saunders, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname saunders who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Saunders and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname saunders. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of saunders are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of saunders.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of saunders, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Saunders