Show ContentsMcClam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the McClam family

The surname McClam 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 McClam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McClam 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 McClam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClam Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the McClam family

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

Ireland Migration of the McClam family to Ireland

Some of the McClam 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.

Migration of the McClam family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John, Edward, and Elizabeth Lamb, who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Nancy and Nellie Lamb, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1736; John Lamb, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1774.



The McClam 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.


  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)


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