Elam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Elam family

The surname Elam was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1231 when John Ellam held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Elam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elam research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1324, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Elam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elam Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Elam are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Elam include: Elam, Ellam, Ellams, Ellum, Elham, Elhame, Eleam, Elleam, Elums, Elames and many more.

Early Notables of the Elam family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Elam family of Lancashire

Elam Ranking

In the United States, the name Elam is the 2,362^nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1

Elam migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Elam or a variant listed above:

Elam Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Elam, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 2
Ann Elam, who landed in Virginia in 1652 2
Sarah Elam, who arrived in Virginia in 1695 2

Elam Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jos Elam, who arrived in Virginia in 1785 2
Samuel Elam, who landed in Rhode Island in 1789 2
Joseph Elam, who settled in Philadelphia in 1794

Elam Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

M. Elam, who settled in San Francisco in 1851
Mrs. M Elam, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Mrs. A Elam, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Isaac Elam, who arrived in Illinois in 1884
Chas. H. Elam, who arrived in Kansas in 1895

Contemporary Notables of the name Elam (post 1700) +

Keith Edward Elam (1961-2010), known by his stage name Guru, an American rapper
Joseph Barton Elam Jr., (1878-1935), American politician, businessman, and journalist, Mayor of Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana (1914-1920)
Charles Wheaton Elam Sr., (1866-1917), American politician, Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives (1982-1986)
Matthew D. "Matt" Elam (b. 1991), American NFL football safety for the Baltimore Ravens
Joseph Barton Elam Sr., (1821-1885), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana (1877-1881), Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives (1862-1864)
Abram "Abe" Elam (b. 1981), American NFL football safety
James Otis Elam (1918-1995), American respiratory researcher awarded the United States Army Certificate of Achievement, and the Albion O. Bernstein Award
William Scott "Jack" Elam (1916-2003), American movie actor, best known for his roles in Once Upon A Time In The West, High Noon and the television program, The Twilight Zone
Katrina Ruth Elam (b. 1983), American Country and Western singer
Jason "The Boot" Elam (b. 1970), American football placekicker with the Denver Broncos from Fort Walton Beach Florida
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Elam 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: Nec Sperno Nec Timeo
Motto Translation: I neither despise nor fear.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)