First found in many counties, and in all different corners of Ireland. Although most of the early records of Irish names have been lost, placenames such as Ballymacadam near Tralee, Castemacadam, Cadamstwon in county Kildare, and Adamstown in six different counties, are a testament to how widespread this name was in early times. The earliest recorded instance of the name seems to be of James, son of Thomas McAdam, who was among those a list that Lord Fermoy submitted to the Earl of Essex on promise of pardon as provision to his entering into rebellion, dated 21 August 1599.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Elizabeth McAdam, who arrived in Boston from Ireland in 1804; George McAdam, who arrived in Boston in 1804; George McAdam and his wife Elijah, who arrived in New York city from Ireland in 1805.

Motto Translated: In the cross is salvation.

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