Contents [hide]

Lamb History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Lamb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Lamb comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a gentle-hearted person. The surname Lamb originally derived from a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. As a nickname surname it could refer either directly or indirectly to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Another source claims that "the name was probably taken from the sign of a lamb at an inn, the young of the sheep kind." 1 And yet another source claims that the name was a baptismal name as in " 'the son of Lambert,' from Lamb the nickname." 2 3

Early Origins of the Lamb family

The surname Lamb was first found in Northumberland where they were Lords of the manor of West Denton; although, the earliest recorded record of this surname found was of Edward, Wulmar Lamb, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1195. 3

The name was "pretty well dispersed over England, except in the south coast counties from Devon to Kent. At present it is most numerous in the north of England, in the counties of Northumberland and Durham." 4

Other early records of the family include listings as they appeared in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: William le Lambe, Cambridgeshire; Richard le Lam, Northamptonshire; and Ingrida Lomb, Huntingdonshire. 2

Early History of the Lamb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lamb research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1450, 1504, 1545, 1628, 1715 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lamb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamb Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Lamb has undergone many spelling variations, including Lamb, Lambe, Lam and others.

Early Notables of the Lamb family

Distinguished members of the family include

Walter Lambe (1450-1504), an English composer, many of his works appear in the Eton Chioirbook
Benjamin Lamb (fl. 1715), an English organist of Eton College and verger of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, c. 1715

Lamb World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lamb is the 477^th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Lamb is ranked the 818^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,548 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Lamb is the 448^th popular surname with an estimated 8,388 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Lamb as 322^nd with 1,916 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Lamb as 299^th with 20,155 people. 9

Migration of the Lamb family to Ireland

Some of the Lamb family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamb migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Lamb were among those contributors:

Lamb Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Lamb arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury
Robert Lamb, aged 16, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
Thomas Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury. 10
Edward Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Watertown. 11
Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury. 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Lamb, who landed in Virginia in 1705 10
Abraham Lamb, who landed in Virginia in 1715 10
Andrew Lamb, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 10
Elizabeth Lamb, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1736 10
Nancy and Nellie Lamb, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1736
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Lamb, who landed in New York in 1811
Maria Ann Lamb, who arrived in New York in 1825 10
Henry Lamb, who landed in New York in 1831 10
Catharine Lamb, who arrived in New York in 1837 10
Patrick Lamb, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1842 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Owen Lamb, who arrived in Colorado in 1906 10

Lamb migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lamb Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Lamb, who settled in Port de Grave, Newfoundland, in 1714 12
Patrick Lamb, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Daniel Lamb, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Jane Lamb, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Lamb, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Lamb, who landed in Canada in 1820
Richard Lamb, aged 37, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
Mary Lamb, aged 32, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Independence" from Kinsale, Ireland
Margaret Lamb, aged 4, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
Arthur Lamb, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Michael and Julia Lamb, who settled in Ontario in 1908

Lamb migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lamb Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Rose Lamb, (b. 1782), aged 22, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 2nd January 1804, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Miss Rose Lamb, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1826 14
William Lamb, English convict from Berkshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 15
James Lamb, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mrs. Catherine Lamb, (b. 1801), aged 25, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lamb migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lamb Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Michael Lamb, British settler referred to as the Parkhurst Boys travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th November 1843, he had been taught trades and pardoned to live in New Zealand 18
Mr. R. Lamb, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1858 19
Mrs. Lamb, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1858 19
Child Lamb, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1858 19
Mr. James Lamb, British settler travelling from London with 6 family members aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th September 1859 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lamb (post 1700) +

Marcus Lamb (1957-2021), American televangelist, prosperity theologian, minister, and Christian broadcaster, co-founder, president, and CEO of the Daystar Television Network, the second-largest Christian television network in the world
Colonel Norman A. Lamb (1935-2018), American soldier and politician, 3rd Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs (1995-2011), Oklahoma State Senator (1971-1988)
Myrna Lila Lamb (1930-2017), American playwright
Ralph Lamb (1927-2015), American lawman who served as Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada for 18 years
Charles Rollinson Lamb (1860-1942), American architect and sculptor who designed the Dewey Arch in 1899
Cainon Lamb (b. 1978), American Grammy Award nominated record producer, composer and songwriter
Brian Patrick Lamb (b. 1941), American founder, executive chairman, retired CEO of C-SPAN, an American cable network, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Humanities Medal
Benjamin "Ben" Lamb (b. 1985), American professional poker player, the 2011 World Series of Poker Player of the Year
Andrew Lamb (b. 1958), American Jazz saxophonist and flutist from Clinton, North Carolina
Willis Eugene Lamb Jr. (1913-2008), American physicist, awarded the 1955 Nobel Prize for Physics
... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lamb family +

Flight 191

K Lamb (d. 1979), American passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 20

HMS Dorsetshire

Alexander Black Lamb (d. 1945), British Engine Room Artificer 1st Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 21

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Bernard S Lamb, British Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 22

RMS Titanic

Mr. John Joseph Lamb (d. 1912), aged 30, Irish Second Class passenger from Glencree, Ireland who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 23

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Peter Lamb (d. 1914), Newfoundlander from Red Island, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

USS Arizona

Mr. George Samuel Lamb, American Chief Shipfitter Assigned from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24

The Lamb Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtute et fide
Motto Translation: By valour and faith.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html