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Adam History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Adam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
England
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Scotland

Etymology of Adam

What does the name Adam mean?

The old Irish name Adam and its variants are tied to the Anglo-Saxon "Adam," a given name which is itself derived from the Latin name "Adamus," meaning "earth."

Early Origins of the Adam family

The surname Adam was first found in many counties, and in all different corners of Ireland.

Adamnan or Adomnan (625?-704), "is supposed to have been born, about 625, in the south-west of the part of Ulster now known as Donegal, with the principal septs of which his parents were allied. Few details which can be accepted as authentic have been preserved in relation to Adamnan's career. In 679 he was elected abbot of Iona, being the ninth in succession to his eminent kinsman Columba, by whom the monastic institution on that island had been founded. Through his personal application, in 686, to Aldfrid, king of Northumbria, Adamnan effected the liberation of some of the Irish who had been carried off by pirates and retained in captivity there. About this period he became an advocate for adopting the Roman regulations as to the tonsure, and in relation to the time for the celebration of Easter. The Latin life of St. Columba-'Vita Columbæ'-who died in 597, is supposed to have been compiled by Adamnan in the interval between his visits to Ireland in 692 and 697. He is stated to have taken part in conventions and synods in Ireland, enactments ascribed to which were styled 'Adamnan's Rule' and 'Canones Adomnani.' The latter, consisting of eight sections, were published by Martene. Adamnan died at Iona in 704, on 23 Sept., on which day he was commemorated as a saint in old Irish and Scottish calendars. " 1

Although most of the early records of Irish names have been lost, placenames such as Ballymacadam near Tralee, Castemacadam, Cadamstwon in County Kildare, and Adamstown in six different counties, are a testament to how widespread this name was in early times. The earliest recorded instance of the name seems to be of James, son of Thomas McAdam, who was among those a list that Lord Fermoy submitted to the Earl of Essex on promise of pardon as provision to his entering into rebellion, dated 21 August 1599.

"This well known English name has been used synonymously with Aidy and Eadie in Co. Down." 2

Early History of the Adam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Adam research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1791, 1801, 1808, 1814, 1815, 1818, 1832, 1842, 1861, 1875 and 1895 are included under the topic Early Adam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Adam Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Adam, Adams, McAdam, MacAdam, MacCaw, MacCoddan and many more.

Early Notables of the Adam family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

James MacAdam (1801-1861), noted geologist and his brother Robert...
Macadam (1808-1895), Gaelic scholar and founder of the Ulster Journal of Archeology...

Adam World Ranking

In the United States, the name Adam is the 2,706^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Adam is ranked the 654^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,919 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Adam is the 570^th popular surname. 5 France ranks Adam as 111^st with 25,815 people. 6 Australia ranks Adam as 854^th with 4,629 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Adam as 739^th with 977 people. 8 South Africa ranks Adam as 787^th with 8,776 people. 9

Adam migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Adam Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Adam, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 10
Tho Adam, who landed in Virginia in 1665 10
Robert Adam, who landed in Perth Amboy, NJ in 1685 10
John Adam, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 10
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 10
Hendrick Adam, aged 28, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
Joh Henrich Adam, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
Catharina Adam, aged 2, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
Cathrina Adam, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 10
... (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 10
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 10
Joh Jakob Adam, who landed in Brazil in 1827 10
Jakob Adam, who arrived in Brazil in 1827 10
... (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 10
Wilhelm Adam, aged 7, who landed in New York, NY in 1902 10
Friedrich Adam, aged 11, who landed in New York, NY in 1902 10
Catharina Adam, aged 48, who arrived in New York, NY in 1902 10
Arthur Adam, who landed in Pike County, Ind in 1904 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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 11
René Adam, son of Jean and Marie, married Anne Maillou, daughter of Michel and Jeanne, in Beaumont, Quebec on 1st May 1696 12

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 12
Jean-Baptiste Adam, son of Jean and Marie, who married Catherine Guillet, daughter of Louis and Marie, in Batiscan, Quebec on 16th April 1708 12
Ignace Adam, son of René and Anne, who married Suzanne Lacasse, daughter of Joseph and Marie-Françoise, in Beaumont, Quebec on 19th November 1720 12
Samuel Adam was a JP of Placentia, Newfoundland, in 1730 11
René Adam, son of René and Anne, married Marie-Josephte Maupas, daughter of Nicolas and Agnès, in Beaumont, Quebec on 8th November 1734 12
... (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 aboard the ship "Lebig"

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.)

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) 13
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 14
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 14
Mr. John Adam, (b. 1829), aged 8, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Alfred" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 31st August 1837 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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 15
John S. Adam, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 16
Elizabeth Adam, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 16
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.)

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. 17

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 18
Samuel Forbes Adam (1783-1854), American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Canaan, 1825, 1827-28 18
Prudence Adam, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 2008 18
Robert R. Adam, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Berks County 3rd District; Elected 1954 18
Nathaniel E. Adam, American politician, Representative from California 43rd District, 2000 18
Karl Adam, American Republican politician, South Dakota Republican State Chair, 2008; Delegate to Republican National Convention from South Dakota, 2008 18
John J. Adam (1807-1888), American politician, Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention 3rd District, 1835 18
Jane E. Adam, American politician, Representative from California 47th District, 2000 18
James Noble Adam (1842-1912), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Buffalo, New York, 1906-09 18
... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Adam family +

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 19

Vimy Ridge

James Adam (d. 1917), Canadian Private in the 78th Battalion who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917

The Adam 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: In cruce salus
Motto Translation: In the cross is salvation.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"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
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_bounty_nsw.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
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
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details