Abrams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Abrams:

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jim Abrams, who arrived in Virginia in 1657 3
• John Abrams, who arrived in Maryland in 1670 3

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• William Abrams, who settled in Maryland in 1733
• Jacob Abrams, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1786 3
• Robert Abrams, who arrived in Mississippi in 1798 3

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Morris Abrams, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
• A Abrams, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
• S Abrams, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
• John Charles Abrams, who landed in Mississippi in 1852 3

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Myer Abrams, who landed in Mississippi in 1903 3

Abrams Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Abrams, British Convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 25th April 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
• William Abrams, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Brankenmore" in 1846 5
• Caroline Abrams, aged 32, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 6

Abrams Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Miss. Ann Abrams, (b. 1836), aged 24, British housemaid travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 7
• George Abrams, aged 19, a farmer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "India" in 1875 7
• Mr. Jonas Abrams, (b. 1847), aged 29, Cornish labourer departing on 26th February 1876 aboard the ship "Bebington" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 15th July 1876 8
• Jonas Abrams, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876

• General Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. (1914-1974), American Commander of forces in Vietnam and two-time winner of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, eponym of the M1 Abrams tank 9
• Steve Abrams (b. 1949), American politician for the state of Kansas
• William J. Abrams (1829-1900), American railroad surveyor, railroad businessman, and politician
• Roslyn Maria Abrams (b. 1948), American former television news journalist
• Ruth Ida Abrams (1930-2019), American first female supreme Justice of Massachusetts (1978-2000)
• Sam Abrams (1935-2023), American poet and Fulbright Professor of American Literature at the University of Athens
• Stacey Yvonne Abrams (b. 1973), American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author
• Stephen Irwin Abrams (1938-2012), American scholar of parapsychology
• Richard L. Abrams (b. 1941), American president of the Optical Society of America in 1990
• Robert Abrams (b. 1938), American attorney and politician
• ... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• The Abrams Family Genealogy, 1745-1979 by George Carter Abrams.
• The Ancestors of Our Children (and Cousins, Too) by Maynard Abrams.