Show ContentsAddems History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Addems Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Addems

What does the name Addems mean?

The surname Addems is derived from the name of an ancestor, as in 'the son of Adam.' This popular font-name in the 13th century claims the root 'Adam,' the given name in Genesis 1-5 for the first human. He features in various belief systems including Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism and Islam.

Early Origins of the Addems family

The surname Addems was first found in Norfolk where it is thought that the first record of the name was Richard Adamessone who was listed there in the 13th century. 1

The name is "rare in the eastern and northern counties [of England]. 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. This name, according to Lower, was more frequent in the Middle Ages. Adamson is found in the north of England and in the south of Scotland." 2 3

In Scotland, the name is fairly common in the present day Angus (now in Aberdeenshire, Dundee City and Perth and Kinross areas.) One of the first records of the family was Adam filius Ade filius Philippi who was burgess of Suhtberewick in 1261. Later, we found John Adamsone of the county of Berewyke took the oath of fealty in 1296 and Colin, son of Ade, was Provost of Aberdeen in 1340 and appears again in 1349 as Colin Adamson. John Adamson (fitz de Adam), a Scot, had a safe conduct to go to Bruges from England in 1433. Cuthbert Adamson was a notary public of Glasgow diocese, 1587. 4

Another source notes "the surname of Adam is of great antiquity in Scotland. Duncan Adam, son of Alexander Adam, lived in the reign of King Robert Bruce, and had four sons, from whom all the Adams, Adamsons, and Adies in Scotland are descended." 5

Early History of the Addems family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Addems research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1261, 1296, 1433, 1537, 1587, 1592, 1600, 1610, 1611, 1639, 1653, 1680, 1787, 1855 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Addems History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Addems Spelling Variations

Although the name, Addems, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Adamsone, Addamson, Adamson and others.

Early Notables of the Addems family

Henry Adamson (d. 1639), a Scottish poetical writer, a native of Perth, was the son of James Adamson, who had been dean of guild in 1600, and provost in 1610 and 1611. 6 John Adamson (d. 1653), was Principal of the University of Edinburgh. He was the son of Henry Adamson, Provost of Perth, and grandson of Dr. Patrick Adamson, Archbishop of St. Andrews. 6 Patrick Adamson (1537-1592), was a...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Addems Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Addems family to Ireland

Some of the Addems family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 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 Addems family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Addems family name Addems, or who bore a variation of the surname were Thomas Adamson who settled in Galveston Texas in 1872; George Adamson settled in Virginia in 1679; John Adamson settled in Barbados in 1678.

The Addems 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: Crux mihi grata quies
Motto Translation: The Cross gives me welcome rest.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

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