Show ContentsLamb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lamb family

The surname Lamb was first found in Northumberland, where they were Lords of the manor of West Denton. The earliest record of this name in Scotland appears to be of Adam Lamb of Sympering, who witnessed a charter of lands in Grayden in c. 1288. Adam Lamb and Lambe fiz Austyn de Nibreim (Austin Lamb) both rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland. Thomas Lambe was a tenant in Dumfriesshire in 1376. John Lambe of Scotland received twenty pounds from Richard II of England for killing Oweyn of Wales, "the King's enemy in France." Duncan Lam held a tenement in Edinburgh in 1392. A master Archibald Lame taught young monks at the Abbey of Arbroath in 1486. 1

Early History of the Lamb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lamb research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1391, 1398, 1420, 1423, 1565, 1607, 1619, 1634 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

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lamb, Lambe, Lam, Mclamb and others.

Early Notables of the Lamb family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Andrew Lamb (1565?-1634), Scottish clergyman, Bishop of Brechin (1607-1619), and Bishop of Galloway (1619-1634.)...

Lamb World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lamb is the 477th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Lamb is ranked the 818th most popular surname with an estimated 6,548 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Lamb is the 448th popular surname with an estimated 8,388 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Lamb as 322nd with 1,916 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Lamb as 299th with 20,155 people. 6

Ireland 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 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Lamb migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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 7
  • Thomas Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury. 7
  • Edward Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Watertown. 8
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury. 8
  • ... (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 7
  • Abraham Lamb, who landed in Virginia in 1715 7
  • Andrew Lamb, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 7
  • Elizabeth Lamb, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1736 7
  • 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 7
  • Henry Lamb, who landed in New York in 1831 7
  • Catharine Lamb, who arrived in New York in 1837 7
  • Patrick Lamb, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1842 7
  • ... (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 7

Canada 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 9
  • 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

Australia 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 10
  • 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 11
  • William Lamb, English convict from Berkshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
  • James Lamb, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • 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 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand 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 15
  • 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 16
  • 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 16
  • 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 16
  • 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 15
  • ... (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.)

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 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
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 21


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: Palma non sine pulvere
Motto Translation: The palm is not obtained without labour.


Suggested Readings for the name Lamb +

  • The Lambs of Lanarkshire and their Descendants in America by Mary Grant Charles.
  • The Family History of William Faris of Washington County, Ohio and the Fraser, McKenzie, Lamb and Graham Families by Joy Gibbony.

  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. 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)
  8. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  9. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. 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
  18. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  19. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  20. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  21. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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