This interesting surname is a Scottish patronymic of Andrew, which is of English origin, and is derived from the personal name, which, itself comes from the Greek personal name "Andreas", meaning manly. The first of Jesus Christ's disciples was known by this name. The personal name was first recorded as "Andreas" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and in Scotland it was first recorded as "Andreas" in 1242. The surname M'Andrew was first recorded in Scotland in 1502 with one Donald Makandro, in Kilravock. The surname development since 1395 (see below) includes the following: Wielelmus Andro (1399, Edinburgh), Malcon Andree (1511, Aberdeen), Makallum MacAndro (1550, Murthlac), Dowgall Mc Andro (1613, Stuckvullige), Thomas McAndrew (1618, Inverness) and John M'Andrie (1675, Blachaig). The modern surname can be found as McAndrew, McAndro and Makindrew. Among the recordings in Scotland are the christening of James, son of William McAndrew and Isabell Taitt, on November 27th 1698, at Newbattle, Midlothian, and the marriage of John McAndrew and Margrett Barron on February 16th 1777, at Edinburgh, Midlothian. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Andree which was dated 1395, at "Kyrknes and Loucher, Scotland", during the reign of King Robert 111 of Scotland, 1390 - 1406. 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.

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