ALEXANDER
This is a copy of an article published in
The Peak Advertiser, the Peak District's local free newspaper,
on 20th September 2004,
reproduced by kind permission of the author, the late Desmond Holden.
The “What's in a Name” series was a regular
feature in the Advertiser over the period 1993‑2004,
taking a refreshing look at the derivation of some typically
Derbyshire surnames.
Articles are confined to the origins and meanings of surnames,
and do not indicate any particular interest on Desmond's part in
the genealogy, descent, or family history of individuals bearing
the surnames featured.
Editor's Note: Articles are provided for general interest and
background only. They are not intended to provide an exhaustive treatise
for any individual family history - investigations of which may yield
quite different results. Or, in Desmond's own words:
“In the end it must remain with individual bearers of the names to
draw upon family traditions and to seek out such documentary
evidence as is available to decide the matter for themselves.”
WHAT'S IN A NAME …
Are you called ALEXANDER??
Variations: Sanders, Saunderson, McAlister
The term "aphetic" is applied to words which have lost their first
syllable and become new words: esquire/squire. It often occurs in
personal names: as Anthony/Tony and Elizabeth/Betty. Where a
personal name is the basis of a surname and has generated such
"pet" (or Hypocoristic) forms, the number of surnames can be
extensive and confusing. This is very much the case with
"Alexander". Apart from being a surname alone the hypocoristic
forms yield such names as Sand, Callister, Alistair etc.
The name combines two Greek words: "alexein" (to defend) and
"Andros" (man). Together they signify "He who defends his fellow-
men". The unit "andros" is frequently met in words such as
"android" - popular in science fiction! The other unit is less
used. It was common in medical use, descriptive of items designed
to ward off afflictions but with the introduction of immunisation
and anti-biotic it is infrequently encountered now.
Although the name is inseparably associated with the Greek Warrior,
Alexander the Great (356-325 BC) it was already an ancient name
when he was born. It is recorded as early as 1300 BC. Nevertheless
his reputation stood so high in the ancient world and onwards that
his name, (variously spelled) was widely adopted - especially in
central Europe from where it was carried to Scotland (see later).
It was even approved by the Hebrews: there are at least four
personalities named in the Bible. Even though Alexander was a
Pagan, the Christian Church produced several saints of the name,
one being that same Pope who prescribed the blending wine with
water during Eucharist. The authentic life of Alexander would have
ensured his admiration among all generations, but various writers
compiled fanciful histories of his life and exploits which became
collectively known as "the Alexandrine Romances" and enjoyed a
popularity during the Middle Ages similar to those told of King
Arthur. Under the name of Iksander a Mahometan version makes him
uphold their characteristic disapproval of sacred images. And not
to be outdone a Christian history actually makes him a Saint -
along with Pontius Pilate!
It is a matter of curiosity that "Alexander" became almost the
national name in Scotland, nearly out-rivalling Malcolm and Donald.
It was borne by three successive kings, beginning with Alexander I
(1107-1124). He was the son of Queen Margaret, who had spent her
youth in Hungary and had a fondness in its recollection. So great
was the impact of its introduction that the name, in the aphetic
form of "Sandy", is a generic name for Scotsmen the world over!
As a personal name, however, it is first recorded in Lincolnshire
in 1135, but as a surname beyond that date both in Scotland and
England there evolved such a bewildering variety of names that
merely to enumerate an example of each would convert this column
into something like a telephone directory. For example the surname
"Alexander" appears 20 times in our local guide, that of McAlistair
15, while forms based on Sanders or Sanderson exceed 100. Some
surnames were based on popular or homely adaptations of the name
which are difficult to unravel as in the case of "Eckie" and
"Sawney".
Of Derbyshire personalities mention may be made of Sir Thomas
Sanders of Mugginton (near Weston Underwood) who was a Colonel in
Cromwell's Army.
The most familiar appearance of the name for many people is in the
hymn books as Mrs Cecil Frencis Alexander (1829-1895). She wrote
many popular hymns, especially "All things bright and beautiful"
which is a verse wherein the English language is skilfully handled.
Frederick Sanderson was a distinguished headmaster of Oundle
School. Foreign versions of the name have entered the national
consciousness as, for example "Sandro" Boticelli, the Renaissance
artist, Eugene Sandow, the celebrated "strong man" and "Lenin" the
Russian leader. Older readers will remember Sandy Powell and Sandy
MacPhearson, both of whom worked overtime on the radio to entertain
us during the war. And who can ever forget the shocking activities
of Sawney Beane, dubbed as the "Ogre of Ballantrae".
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© Desmond Holden
From "The Peak Advertiser", 20th September 2004.
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