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Origin Displayed: Scottish

Where did the Scottish Adair family come from? What is the Scottish coat of arms/family crest? When did the Adair family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Adair family. Originally, the Scottish people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in Scotland is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the first name of the person's father. The surname Adair is derived from the given name Edgar, which means prosperity.

The frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Adair has also been spelled Adair, Odeir, Edzear, Edgar, Adare and others.

First found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway). Tradition has it that the foundation of the family of Adair of Dunskey and Kinhilt originated from a fugitive son of Fitzgerald, Earl Desmond of Adair in Ireland.

Some of the first North American settlers with Adair name or one of its variants: Alice Adair, who settled in Charles Town S.C. in 1776; Ann Adair settled in New York State, in 1774; James Adair settled in Pennsylvania in 1771.

Motto Translated: Faithful unto death.

For more information on the last name Adair, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Adair
  • The Descendants of James Adair by Miriam Dabbs Adair.

Some noteworthy people of the name Adair
  • Paul Neal "Red" Adair (1915-2004), renowned American oil field firefighter. The 1968 John Wayne movie Hellfighters was based upon the feats of Adair during the 1962 Sahara Desert fire
  • John Adair (1655-1722), Scottish surveyor
  • Rhona Adair (1878-1961), British golf champion
  • Sir Robert Adair (1763-1855), English diplomat
  • Craig Adair (b. 1968), Canadian painter
  • General Sir Alan Adair, Yeoman of the Queen's Guard
  • Sir Gilbert Adair, biophysics
  • Major General Sir Allan Henry Shafto Adair (1897-1988), 6th Baron, British Army general who commanded the Guards Armoured Division from 12 September 1942 until the end of the war
  • John Eric Adair (b. 1934), British leadership development consultant


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Adair family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Adair coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Adair genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Adair Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Adair.
Apparel proudly displaying the Adair coat of arms.
Armorial histories for the name Adair.
Ceramics with a Adair coat of arms.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Adair.
Downloads displaying the Adair family crest.
Family Crest for the name Adair.
Family Tree proudly displaying the Adair coat of arms.
Hand Painted Plaques featuring the Adair family crest.
Keychains displaying the Adair family crest.
Mouse pads featuring the family crest for the surname Adair.
Packages displaying the Adair family crest.
Plaques and Frames with a Adair coat of arms.
Surname Histories for the name Adair.
Travel Mugs with the family crest for the name Adair.
Popular Products
Armorial History With Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
Key-chain
Coffee Mug
Armorial History with Frame
Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
 

The Adair Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Adair Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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