Cameron History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Cameron

What does the name Cameron mean?

The rugged west coast of Scotland and the desolate Hebrides islands are the ancestral home of the Cameron family. Their name indicates that the original bearer lived in either Cameron near Edinburgh, Cameron in Lennox, or Cameron in Fife. Thus, the name Camerons of the Lowlands is of territorial origin, from one of the three places so called. The Highland Clan name Cameron may come from the Lowland name, but it is also derived from the Gaelic word cam-shron, which means wry or hook-nosed.

The Cameron Clan was described as 'Fiercer than fierceness itself' and it was reputed to be one of the most ancient clans of Scotland. The hereditary name of the chiefs of the Clan is MacDhomnuill Duibh, from their ancestor "Black Donald".

The first assured chief of the Clan was not found until 1411, when Donald Du reigned in that year. Following this date, the Clan split into three separate branches, one each at Letterfinlay, Strone and Glen Nevis, with the Clan seat at Lochaber.

Early Origins of the Cameron family

The surname Cameron was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, among the hills which surrounded Lochy, Arkaig, and Ely.

The Camerons are said to have traditionally descended from the Kings of Denmark and probably assisted in the restoration of King Fergus II in 404. The first written records of the Cameron Clan date back to the 13th century.

In 1214, Adam de Kamerun was witness to a charter to the monks of Cupar. In 1219, Hugh Cambrun was the sheriff of Forfar and in 1233, Johannes Cambron was a charter witness in Moray. In 1360, the Cameron Clan received the first official grant of the lands of Lochaber and they were later granted Locheil, and Locharkaig, by the Lord of the Isles.

In 1360 they received the first official grant of the lands of Lochaber. They were later granted Locheil, and Locharkaig, by the Lord of the Isles. The Camerons were continually at feud with the Clan Chattan, and notable amongst the battles was that of Charles Hill. Suffering defeat in 1370 they rose to prominence at the Battle of Harlaw, but again were forfeited. King James IV restored their lands in 1493.

Early History of the Cameron family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cameron research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1422, 1423, 1446, 1579, 1625, 1629, 1647, 1680, 1693, 1695, 1715, 1719, 1748, 1793 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cameron History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cameron Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Cameron has been spelled Cameron, MacGuillonies, MacSorlies and many more.

Early Notables of the Cameron family

John Cameron (d. 1446), Bishop of Glasgow and chancellor of Scotland, said to have belonged to a family of Edinburgh burghers, and to have drawn his name more remotely from the Camerons of Craigmillar...
John Cameron (1579?-1625), was a Scottish theologian, born about 1579 in Glasgow. Richard Cameron (d. 1680), was a Scottish covenanting leader, born at Falkland in Fife. "He was at first schoolmaster...
Sir Ewen Cameron of Locheil (1629-1719), was the 17th Chief of Clan Cameron from 1647; as well as his grandson, Donald Cameron of Lochiel (1693?-1748), was a Cameron chieftain, known as the Gentle Loc...

Cameron World Ranking

the United States, the name Cameron is the 561^st most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Cameron is ranked the 93^rd most popular surname with an estimated 28,724 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Cameron is the 901^st popular surname. 3 Australia ranks Cameron as 84^th with 28,821 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Cameron as 82^nd with 4,490 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Cameron as 223^rd with 26,001 people. 6

Migration of the Cameron family to Ireland

Some of the Cameron family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cameron migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Cameron arrived in North America very early:

Cameron Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Finley Cameron, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 8
Finlow Cameron, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 8
Richard Cameron, aged 35, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 8
James Cameron, who landed in New York in 1739 8
Donald Cameron, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1764 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cameron Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Martha Cameron, aged 14, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 8
Agnus Cameron, aged 17, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 8
Elinor Cameron, aged 9, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 8
George Cameron, who arrived in America in 1805 8
Hugh Cameron, aged 24, who landed in New York in 1812 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cameron Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Angus Donald Cameron, who arrived in California in 1902 8
Mr. John Cameron, (b. 1879), aged 26, Cornish shipwright travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Cleveland, Ohio, USA 9

Cameron migration to Canada +

Duncan Cameron, (1764 -1848), Scottish settler that arrived in Tryon County, New York, America, he enter into fur trade service in 1785 within Candada and became a Canadian citizen where he was in Winnipeg and Red River Settlement

Cameron Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alexander Cameron, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1744 10
John Cameron, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Donald Cameron, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex Cameron, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Donald Cameron, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cameron Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Cameron, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Isl Cameron, aged 12, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Isobel Cameron, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Margaret Cameron, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Margaret Cameron, aged 3, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cameron Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

R J Cameron, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Cameron migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Daniel Cameron, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 7

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Cameron Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Cameron, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Philip Cameron, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Alexander Cameron, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Archibald Cameron, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. John Cameron, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1843 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cameron 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:

Cameron Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Angus Cameron, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Peter Cameron, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Alexander Cameron, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
Allan Cameron, aged 35, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
Janet Cameron, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cameron (post 1700) +

David Willima Donald Cameron (b. 1966), Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, British politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016, as Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (2023-)
James Francis Cameron (b. 1954), Canadian director and screenwriter with 22 Academy Awards, 6 BAFTAs and 7 Golden Globe Awards, known for the movies The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), Titanic (1997) Avatar and many more
Ronald Ray Cameron (1945-2024), American radio host
Loren Cameron (1960-2023), American photographer and activist, his depictions of transgender people and documentation of his own experience inspired a generation
Joanna Kara Cameron (1951-2021), sometimes credited as JoAnna Cameron, an American actress and model, best known for her portrayal of the title role on Isis, a 1970s children's television series, which was later rebroadcast as The Secrets of Isis
William M. Cameron, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1960 15
William M. Cameron, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 33rd District, 1932 16
William M. Cameron, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Warren County, 1891 16
William Evelyn Cameron (1842-1927), American politician, Mayor of Petersburg, Virginia, 1876-82; Governor of Virginia, 1882-86; Delegate to Virginia State Constitutional Convention, 1901-02 16
... (Another 111 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cameron family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss. Rangiaho Cameron (1922-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Mt. Wellington, East Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 16
Miss Ruth P. Cameron (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mrs. Annie Cameron, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mr. Donald C. Cameron (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mrs. Ida May Cameron (1879-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
... (Another 17 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Cameron 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: Aonaibh ri cheile
Motto Translation: Unite

Sources +

"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
"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
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance