Although the above is the usual explanation on the origin of the
expression
Merry Andrew or merry-andrew, Andrew was a common name in old English
plays for
a varlet or manservant.

Mery has a CXV text citation.
However, Merry-Andrews may be a corruption from
ANDYRS: Other. [A.S.] The more usual form of which is ENDRES.

It is difficult to find both words conjoined, but below they both exist in
the same text. (Jamieson explains it St. Andrew's Day, 30th November; but
does not reconcile it with the following "mery mornyng of May".)

As I me went this /andyrs/ day,
Fast on my way makyng my mone,
In a /mery/ mornyng of May,
Be Huntley bankes myself alone.

/MS. Cantab. Ff. v. 48, f. 116

Phil Innes


George Mirijanian