Last name: Adam

This noble and distinguished surname is of pre-medieval origins. It derives from the Hebrew word "adama", meaning "earth", and as such is believed to the source from which God created man as recorded in the Old Testament section of the Bible. The surname can be English, Scottish, Irish, Polish, French, Catalan, Greek, Italian, German, Flemish, Dutch, Russian, Croatian, Hungarian, and was also given to 18th century Jews. It is recorded in over seventy spellings. These include such forms as Adami, Adamo, Adamsson, Adamsen, Dami, Adamski, Adamsky, Adnett, Adekins, Ade, Aitken, Aitkin, Atcock, Adamini, Adanet, Adamik, Adamcek, Adamcyzk, Adamec, Acheson, Adamovic, Hadkins, McAddie, Keddie, Kiddy, and many others. The baptismal name was always popular throughout Europe in the Middle Ages amongst the non- Jews, and is first recorded in England in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. Other very early recordings include Adam, the sub-prior of Melrose Abbey, Scotland, who became abbot of Cupar, Fifeshire, in 1189, whilst Alianor Adam, was recorded in the 1281 Assize Rolls of the English county of Cheshire. Surnames derived from given names are the oldest and most pervasive surname type, and in religious naming traditions, names were bestowed in honour of saints and biblical figures. Some bearers of the surname in Britain descend from French Huguenot refugees who fled religious persecution in their own country. An example is Jean Adam, a witness at the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London, on February 14th 1731. The first recording of the family name anywhere in the world is believed to be that to be that of German Adam, and dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls" of the county of Cambridgeshire, England, during the reign of King Edward 1st, 1273 - 1307.

Visitor Comments

Peter ADAM, New York NY, USA
28 Oct 2009 To Whom It May Concern, I am researching the surname ADAM in the German speaking areas of the continent of Europe and for some extent in England and Scotland. While "ADAM" (without an "S")dominates in Scotland it is "ADAMS" for most of England. Why I don't know. In the German speaking countries of Europe, that includes the northern part of Switzerland and Austria it is ADAM ! The form of ADAMS derives mostly from the possessive form in addressing the relationship to children or wives ie. John, John ADAMs son. It is the English-speaking world that adopted the possessive form of ADAM and reading it as ADAMS assuming it is the original writing. My own research resulted in the fact that surname ADAM occured around 1295 in the area of todays Switzerland including Swabia and Scotland. The diversification of the name ADAM in Europe occured at the start of the Reformation (about 1520)and spread quickly to areas of Europe that gave refuge to the Protestant. (Swabia, Alsac, Hessia, Saxonie,Brandenburg, Holland and Silesia) So how come that Scotland and Switzerland share the same spelling of ADAM so early in time. Any suggestions ? Sincerely, Peter ADAM researching the continent for ADAMs (plural form)

marita adam
being a dutch adam (woman) I would like to know more of this name, most of my family is originally from former dutch indonesia. maybe we have interesting information for each other regards marita adam

Wilson L. Strausser
I have recently recognized part of my bloodline may well be in the Adam family; traveling to one of the earliest (circa 1744) I found an afore unknown to me cousin (Fern Strausser Leiby) married to Harold Adam living on that original farmstead established almost a dozen generations ago by my direct bloodline forefather who immigrated from Germany. The nearby Zion Church located on the road by the same name has many Strausser (Strasser spelling more historically correct) and Adam relatives interred. Apparently my first name (Wilson) came down through the centuries with the Adam Family; some of whose members also bear my first name and who probably lived before my Strasser family began naming children Wilson; of whom there are probably dozens who have gone before me. The Wilson clan (which I have as yet to tie my bloodline to) has more than 100 tartan designs officially assigned which tells me there were and most likely still are many of the Wilson surname living in Scotland. My purpose for this rambling is an attempt to establish continuity between the families over history to learn more completely which heritages we currently carry on. Regards;

Rodrigo Adam
Hello, i´m Rodrigo Adam from México, i´m very interesting in the roots of the surname. regards.

Sally Newell
Dear Rodrigo, My grandmother's maiden name was Adam. She had relatives in the early 1900's that emigrated to Mexico City. I do not know their names just the story of their choice of Mexico City over New York City.

Cesar Adam
Hi Rodrigo: Mi abuelo se llamo Miguel Adam, el llego a Linares N.L. en los pricipios de 1900 y despues emigro a la ciudad de Mexico, pero su hermano Elias Adam se quedo en Linares hasta su muerte. He visto el apellido en Tampico y en Merida Yucatan. Saludos..

JoanW
I descend from the John (Johannes) Adam b. 1727 Baden Germany

Hanspeter Adam
My grandfather emigrated to Switzerland from Baden during the late 1800's. His name was Karl Adam. Probably descended from your ancestor. There are still Adam names in Baden today.

Janet Adam
I am doing research on the Adam family. My branch was in Liersberg, Prussia in 1760's and then part of them moved to Sasbachried in Wurttenburg, Germany in the late 1700's to early 1800's. My ancester immigrated to the U.S. in 1864. Thanks

Seth Adam
My last name is also Adam and my branch was in Prussia also.. They immigrate to the U.S in 1868. Their home was in North Judson, Indiana .

JC Adam
My Adam family is based since 3 generartion in Switzerland then we had family in France and we were also based off British... Correct info on this page!

Hanspeter Adam
My family is from Basel, Switzerland. Is it possible we are related?

Hanspeter Adam
I am Hanspeter Adam, born in Basel, Switzerland. My grandfather, Karl Adam, moved to Switzerland from Baden, Germany, probably late 18 hundreds.