Whether your last name is Sanders, Sanderson, or some other variant, the meaning of the name is quite interesting. Depending on your ancestry, it may come from Greek or German.

Let's explore the Sanders surname, its history, and famous people named Sanders, and guide you to some helpful genealogy resources.

Where 'Sanders' Come From

Sanders is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Sander." Patronymic means that at some point in history, men by the name of Sander gave their name to their son, creating the name Sanders and indicating possession. It's easier to see this in the patronymic variation Sanderson, which means "son of Sander."

Sander is a medieval form of "Alexander." Alexander comes from the Greek name "Alexandros," meaning "defender of men." This, in turn, comes from the Greek alexein, meaning "to defend, help" and aner, or "man."

Sander or Sanders in Germany may also be a topographic name for someone who lived on sandy soil, from sand and -er, a suffix denoting an inhabitant.

Sanders is the 87th most popular surname in the United States. Its full origins are English, Scottish, and German. Alternative spellings are Sanderson, Sandersen, and Sander.

Famous People Named Sanders

If we take a look at Sanders name alone, we can find many famous people. Here are a few of the more notable names and you're sure to recognize a number of them.

Barry Sanders - U.S. football player

Bernie Sanders - U.S. politician

Colonel Harland Sanders - Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken

Deion Sanders - U.S. football player

George Sanders - British actor

Larry Sanders - U.S. comedian

Marlene Sanders - TV news anchor

Genealogy Resources for the Surname Sanders

The Sanders name is spread throughout the world, with many families passing it from one generation to the next. If you're interested in researching Sanders' ancestry, you can start with these resources.