This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Anstruther,' in Fife.

'William de Candela held the barony of Anstruther, in Fife assumed the surname in or before 1221 (Lower).

1690-1. Jonathan Compton and Frances Anstruther: Marriage Alleg. (Canterbury).

Of territorial origin from the old lands of Anstruther in Fife. William de Candela was possessed of the barony at his death in 1153. His son, also named William was a beneficiary of Balmerino Abbey sometime after 1165. These de Candelas were of 'he Norman family of Malherbe, who held the lands of Candel in Dorset in capite in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Henry, son of the second William de Candela, appears to have been the first to assume the territorial designation of Anstruther. As Henricus de Ainestrother he witnessed the gift of fifteen acres of Balmulinauch (Balmerino) to the church of St. Andrews by Adam de Stawell before 1225 (RPSA., p. 272). Gaufridus de Einstrother witnessed a charter of the lands of Ardarie in Fife to the Priory of May by William de Beauier before 1214 (ibid., p. 382). In 1288 Henry de Aynstrother was found heir to his father in the fourth part of the lands of Hethrintone in Tyndale (Bain, 11,340; Moore, Lands, p. 84). As Henry de Anstrother or Aynestrothere of Fife he rendered homage in 1296, and in 1304 had his lands in Tyndale restored to him (Bain, 11,508, p. 204,415). William, son of Henry de Aynestrothir gave "ties bothas" in the vill of Aynestrothir to the Abbey of Dryburgh, c. 1320 (Dryburgh, p. 16,251), and an obligation by Cristina relict of Andrew de Aynstrother is recorded in 1336 (Scon, 166). The barons of Anstrude of the seigniory of Barry are descended from a David Anstruther, an officer of the Scots Guards of France. Anstrothir 1490, Anstroycr 1585, Anstryuzir 1571, Enstruther 1691; Andstioyer, Anstroder, Ansteruthyr, Anstrother.

(Celtic) belonging to Anstruther (Fife), A.D.1231 Anstrother = THE Stream.

[Old Gaelic an sruthair].

(Scottish) One who came from Anstruther (marshy meadow), in Fife.

William de Candela held the barony of Anstruther, in co. Fife, about 1153. His grandson Henry appears to have assumed the surname in or before 1221. Baronetage.

Local: from the parish of Anstruther in Fifeshire. The word Anstruther signifies a marsh, or swamp. The family are descended from William de Candela, Lord of the lands of Anstruther, temp. David I.

(Gaelic.) From Anstruth, an ancient order of historians or bards among the Celts, next in rank to the Allamh, or chief doctor of the seven degrees in al the sciences. His reward was twenty kine. He was to be attended by twelve students in his own science, to be entertained for fifteen days, and to be protected from all accusations during that time; and he and his attendants supplied with all manner of necessaries. Anstrwth is derived from Aon, that is, good, great; sruth, knowing, discerning, and er put for fear, a man.

Or Malherbe. This family descends from William de Candel or Candela, who obtained grants in Fife, Scotland, c. 1110, and d. 1153. William de Candel, his son, was a benefactor to Balmerinoch Abbey after 1165. His son assumed the title de Anstruther. The name of Candel was from that place in Dorset, which was held in capite (from the Conquest) by the ancestors of Thomas Fitz-Robert, and Robert Malherbe, 13th cent. (Testa de Neville). Of those ancestors, Nigel de Chandel occurs 1120 (Mon. Angl.). Malherbe was, no doubt, the original name; and it was borne in Scotland by several persons (probably connected with the Anstruthers) in the 12th and 13th cent. The family of Morham, Haddingtonshire, was a branch of the Malherbes (Chalmers, Caledonia, ii. 537). The name of Malherbe was Norman. William de Mala Herba, Ralph, Hugh, Robert, Adam de M. Norm. 1180-95 MRS; Oliver and Robert Malherbe, Engl. 1189 (Rot. Pip.).

(Scotch), The marsh or swamp.

A location name in Fife.