Show ContentsAbbadam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A product of the ancient Brythonic Celts of Wales, the name Abbadam, is from the personal name Adam. The surname Abbadam features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefixes ab- and ap-. The original form of the name was ab-Adam or ap-Adam, but the prefixes have been assimilated into the surname over the course of time and the overall spelling has sometimes been extensively altered. 1

Early Origins of the Abbadam family

The surname Abbadam was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales, created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536.

Early records of the name mention Thomas Apbadham of County Somerset, who was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377). 2 Hoel ab Adam of the County of Shropshire was recorded in the year 1255. 3

Early History of the Abbadam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abbadam research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1300, 1597, 1630 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Abbadam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abbadam Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Abbadam have included Abadham, Abadam, Ab Adham, Ab Adam, Ap Adam and many more.

Early Notables of the Abbadam family

More information is included under the topic Early Abbadam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Abbadam family

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Abbadam: those who migrated to North America before the 19th century and contributed to the development of a new society.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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