Wishlist
Menu
Cart
HouseofNames
Wishlist
Cart

Show ContentsAdam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Product

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

4.9 Average Rating

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Adam came from the given name Adam, which is itself derived from the Latin name Adamus which means earth.

Early Origins of the Adam family

The surname Adam was first found in many counties throughout England and Scotland.

"Six centuries ago Adam probably ranked as second or third favourite among boys' names throughout England. In the north it attained a most remarkable pre-eminence." 1

Another source notes the name is "rare in the eastern and northern counties. In the north, however, its place is sometimes taken by Adamson and Addison, as in the county of Durham. It is at present best represented in Buckinghamshire, Devon, Hampshire, and Staffordshire, and in the counties on the Welsh border, Shropshire and Monmouthshire. " 2

Shortly after the Conquest, forenames were still rare, but for popular names such as this an appellation was typically added denoting "from where they hailed" or in some cases, an occupation. By example, Adam of Barking (fl. 1217?), was a Benedictine monk belonging to the abbey of Sherborne in Dorset; Adam of Buckfield (fl. 1300?), was an English commentator on Aristotle; Adam the Carthusian (fl. 1340) was described as a Carthusian monk and a doctor of theology; Adam of Domerham (d. after 1291), was a monk of Glastonbury, a native of Domerham, a village in Wiltshire belonging to Glastonbury Abbey; Adam de Marisco (d. 1257?), was a learned Franciscan, is said to have been a native of Somerset; and Adam of Orlton (d. 1345), successively bishop of Hereford, Worcester, and Winchester. 3

As far as early rolls are concerned, England and Scotland had the lion's share of early entries.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had the following entries: John filius Adam, Oxfordshire; Hugh filius Adam, Oxfordshire; German Adam, Cambridgeshire; and Juliana Adams, Huntingdonshire. Further to the north and over one hundred years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes Adamson; Johannes Adam; and Thomas Adamson. 1

In Scotland, "Adam sub-prior of Melrose became abbot of Cupar, 1189. Adam son of Adam was one of the witnesses to the charter by William Bruce to Adam of Carlyle of the lands of Kynemund, c. 1194-1214, and he also witnessed the resignation by Dunegal, son of Udard of a carucate of land in Warmanbie within the same period. Adam became abbot of Newbattle in 1201, and another Adam, a native of Lennox (Levenax), was a monk of great sanctity. " 4

Early History of the Adam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Adam research. Another 186 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1281, 1327, 1329, 1460, 1585, 1586, 1626, 1651, 1654, 1655, 1656, 1658, 1661, 1662, 1667, 1685, 1689, 1695, 1697, 1698, 1712, 1719, 1720, 1748, 1760, 1789, 1808, 1829, 1890 and 1891 are included under the topic Early Adam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Adam Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Adam has been recorded under many different variations, including Adam, Adams, MacAdam, MacAdams, MacCaw and others.

Early Notables of the Adam family

Notable amongst bearers of this family name during their early history was

  • William Adams (1585-1661), London Haberdasher born in Newport, Shropshire, who founded Adams' Grammar School in 1656
  • Sir Thomas Adams, 1st Baronet (1586-1667), Lord Mayor of the City of London and a Member of Parliament for the City of London from 1654-1655 and 1656-1658
  • Richard Adams (ca. 1626-1698), a non-conforming English Presbyterian divine
  • Fitzherbert Adams D.D. (1651-1719), an English academic, Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford (1685-1719) and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1695-1697)
  • William Adam (1689-1748), a Scottish architect, mason, and entrepreneur

Adam World Ranking

In the United States, the name Adam is the 2,706th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Adam is ranked the 654th most popular surname with an estimated 7,919 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Adam is the 570th popular surname. 7 France ranks Adam as 111st with 25,815 people. 8 Australia ranks Adam as 854th with 4,629 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Adam as 739th with 977 people. 10 South Africa ranks Adam as 787th with 8,776 people. 11

Ireland Migration of the Adam family to Ireland

Some of the Adam family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Adam migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Adam or a variant listed above:

Adam Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Adam, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 12
  • Tho Adam, who landed in Virginia in 1665 12
  • Robert Adam, who landed in Perth Amboy, NJ in 1685 12
  • John Adam, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 12
  • John Adam, who landed in America in 1685
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Adam Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Adam, who arrived in New York in 1709 12
  • Hendrick Adam, aged 28, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 12
  • Joh Henrich Adam, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 12
  • Catharina Adam, aged 2, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 12
  • Cathrina Adam, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Adam Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Adam, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1804 12
  • William Adam who wrote an Adam Genealogy which is now part of the American Library of Congress
  • Johann Jakob Adam, who arrived in Brazil in 1827 12
  • Joh Jakob Adam, who landed in Brazil in 1827 12
  • Jakob Adam, who arrived in Brazil in 1827 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Adam Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Juliana Adam, aged 19, who arrived in New York, NY in 1902 12
  • Wilhelm Adam, aged 7, who landed in New York, NY in 1902 12
  • Friedrich Adam, aged 11, who landed in New York, NY in 1902 12
  • Catharina Adam, aged 48, who arrived in New York, NY in 1902 12
  • Arthur Adam, who landed in Pike County, Ind in 1904 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Adam migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Adam Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Anne Adam, who landed in Quebec in 1671
  • Sam Adam of Ferryland, Newfoundland, settled there in 1675 13
  • René Adam, son of Jean and Marie, married Anne Maillou, daughter of Michel and Jeanne, in Beaumont, Quebec on 1st May 1696 14
Adam Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Guillaume Adam, son of Guillaume and Marguerite, who married Catherine Charon, daughter of Pierre and Catherine, in Longueuil, Quebec on 24th February 1701 14
  • Jean-Baptiste Adam, son of Jean and Marie, who married Catherine Guillet, daughter of Louis and Marie, in Batiscan, Quebec on 16th April 1708 14
  • Ignace Adam, son of René and Anne, who married Suzanne Lacasse, daughter of Joseph and Marie-Françoise, in Beaumont, Quebec on 19th November 1720 14
  • Samuel Adam was a JP of Placentia, Newfoundland, in 1730 13
  • René Adam, son of René and Anne, married Marie-Josephte Maupas, daughter of Nicolas and Agnès, in Beaumont, Quebec on 8th November 1734 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Adam Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Adam, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1848
  • Amalie Adam, aged 20, who landed in Quebec in 1868
Adam Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Anna Adam, aged 3, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
  • Alexander Adam, aged 4, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
  • Arthur Adam, aged 1, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
  • Emilie Adam, aged 26, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
  • Gottlieb Adam, aged 32, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Adam migration to Australia +

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

Adam Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Adam, a shoemaker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. Alexander Adam, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. James Adam, (b. 1807), aged 30, Cornish farmer, from St. Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Alfred" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 31st August 1837 16
  • Mrs. Susan Adam, (b. 1808), aged 29, Cornish farming servant, from Plymouth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Alfred" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 31st August 1837 16
  • Mr. John Adam, (b. 1829), aged 8, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Alfred" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 31st August 1837 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Adam 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:

Adam Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Adam, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harrington" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 15th June 1841 17
  • John S. Adam, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 18
  • Elizabeth Adam, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 18
  • John Adam, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
  • James Adam, aged 25, a shipwright, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Adam migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Adam Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • John Adam, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Adam (post 1700) +

  • Peter R. Adam (1957-2023), German film editor, known for his work on An American Werewolf in Paris, Good Bye, Lenin!, and Anonymous
  • T. A. Adam, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 1924 20
  • Samuel Forbes Adam (1783-1854), American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Canaan, 1825, 1827-28 20
  • Prudence Adam, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 2008 20
  • Robert R. Adam, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Berks County 3rd District; Elected 1954 20
  • Nathaniel E. Adam, American politician, Representative from California 43rd District, 2000 20
  • Karl Adam, American Republican politician, South Dakota Republican State Chair, 2008; Delegate to Republican National Convention from South Dakota, 2008 20
  • John J. Adam (1807-1888), American politician, Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention 3rd District, 1835 20
  • Jane E. Adam, American politician, Representative from California 47th District, 2000 20
  • James Noble Adam (1842-1912), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Buffalo, New York, 1906-09 20
  • ... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bismarck
  • Heinz Adam (1920-1941), German Matrose IV Funk who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 21
  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. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. 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)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. 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)
  13. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  14. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  15. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_bounty_nsw.pdf
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  21. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Houseofnames.com on Facebook