This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Abraham.' A popular font-name in the 13th century; v. Abbot. In the Fen district especially the entries are common. The instances in the Hundred Rolls are all but entirely confined to the Fen counties. A glance at the London Directory will show that in general Abraham represents the old English stock, and Abrahams the more modern Jewish. This is proved by comparing the personal or Christian names prefixed to the instances; compare Solomon and Salmon.

John Abraam, Bedfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Ralph Abraham, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

John Abraham, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

William fil. Abraham, Lincolnshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Magota Abraham, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

(2) Local, 'of Abram' a township in the parish of Wigan, Lancashire, originally written Adburgham. The Lancashire Abram and Abraham spring from this place.

Gilbert de Abram, temp. Henry IV.

John Abraham of Abraham, temp. Henry V: Baines' Lancashire.

Isaac Abraham, of Liverpool, 1613: Wills at Chester.

Nicholas Lucas, of Alpraham, 1508: ibid.

Robert Lythgoe, of Abram, 1578: ibid.

William Abram, parish of Sephton, 1617: ibid.

The first of these Hebrew names is said to mean 'chief (or father) of a multitude,' and the second 'exalted father,' but the meaning and derivation of both names are uncertain. Bardsley says that Abraham was a popular font-name in England in the thirteenth century, and that "a glance at the London Directory will show that in general Abraham represents the old English stock, and Abrahams the more modern Jewish." Abraham, chaplain of Earl Gilbert of Strathem, a frequent witness in the earl's charters, was probably Abraham, bishop of Dunblane, at a later date. He was son of a priest (Theiner, 6). Magister Habraham appears as a charter witness c. 1163—1175 (RPSA., p. 180), and Adam filius Abraham witnessed a charter by Umfridus de Berkeley of the lands of Balfeth to the Abbey of Abirbrothoc c. 1204—1211 (RAA., I, p. 61). Robert filius Abraham in the parish of Fyvy was excommunicated in 1382 (REA., I, p. 165), Thom Abraam appears in Aberdeen, 1408 (CWA., p. 316), Alexander Abraham, chaplain, witnessed a charter to William Peblis in 1491 (Scon, p. 201), James Abram, burgess of Inverness, was juror on an assize there in 1591 (OPS., II, p. 670), and George Abrahame or Abram was one of the bailies there, 1641 (Rec. Ino., II, p. 177,181). The place name 'Abraham' in Lancashire was originally Eadhurge ham, and was altered in popular speech through a fancied connection with the personal name Abraham. Habram (Inv. Rec., I).

Abram's Son, Abram’s (Son) v. Abram.

(English) Descendant of Abram (high father).

(Hebrew.) The father of a great multitude.

The name of Abraham has been represented in this county since the reign of Edward I. (H. R.).

The name of Abraham, which now occurs mostly in Lincolnshire and Hunts, was found in these counties and in the counties immediately adjacent to them in one form or another six centuries ago. As Ahraham it then existed in Lincolnshire, Hunts, and Cambridgeshire; as Abbraham, Abrahā, Abrahe, and Abrahee in Suffolk; and as Abraam in Beds and Wilts (H. R.). Its occurrence in Wilts is suggestive of its existence then in other counties not so well illustrated in the Hundred Rolls. Stephen Abraham possessed laud in Skirbeck, Lincolnshire, in 1523 (T.).