Show ContentsAdnan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Adnan comes from when its first bearer worked as a soldier. The surname Adnan literally means noble protector. The name was derived from the Old English adel helm which literally means "eagle shield." [1]

Another source claims the name was "from adel, meaning fine, noble, and ham, meaning a village or castle. " [2]

Early Origins of the Adnan family

The surname Adnan was first found in the county of Somerset in south western England where, it is said the family had been settled centuries before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Adnan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Adnan research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1631, 1659, 1677, 1750 and 1823 are included under the topic Early Adnan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Adnan Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Adnan include Headlam, Adhelm, Eadhelm, Adelhelm, Addlam, Adlum, Adlam and many more.

Early Notables of the Adnan family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Captain W. Adlam, who fought with the "Roundheads" (Parliamentarians) during the English Civil War of the 17th century; and Captain S. Adlam, who fought in the French wars in Canada.Richard Edlin or...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Adnan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Adnan family to Ireland

Some of the Adnan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Adnan family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Adnan or a variant listed above: John Adlam who arrived at Nevis in 1670. John Adlum (1759-1836), was a major in the American Provisional Army during the American Revolutionary War, and later a Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania militia.


Contemporary Notables of the name Adnan (post 1700) +

  • Chaudhry Muhammad Adnan (1976-2024), Pakistani politician
  • Adnan Menderes (1899-1961), Turkish statesman


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print


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