This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Adam.' Almost the prime favourite as a font-name in the 13th century; v. Addis, Adcock, Atkins, Atkinson, Addyman, &c. Adams is remarkably well represented in the United States. A single glance at the Index to Hotten's Lists of Emigrants will suffice to show that many Adams, Addams, Adamsons, or Addamsons were among the early settlers.

John fil. Adam, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Hugh fil. Adam, Oxfordshire, ibid.

German Adam, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Juliana Adams, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

Johannes Adamson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Adam, 1379: ibid.

Thomas Adamson, 1379: ibid.

1619. Thomas Williams and Anne Addams: Marriage Lic. (London).

1640-1. Thomas A limes and Elizabeth Emerson: ibid.

Bardsley says that "six centuries ago Adam probably ranked as second or third favourite among boys' names throughout England. In the north it attained a most remarkable pre-eminence." It was also a popular name in Scotland. Douglas (Baronuge. p. 255) absurdly says that a Duncan Auam, who lived in the reign of Robert the Bruce, had four sons, Robert, John, Reginald, and Duncan, and that from them "all the Adams, Macadams, Adamsons, and Adies in Scotland are descended, which sufficiently appears from their carrying the same figures in their armorial bearings. Adam sub-prior of Melrose became abbot of Cupar, 1189 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. xlix). Adam son of Adam was one of the witnesses to the charter by William Bruce to Adam of Carlyle of the lands of Kynemund, c. 1194—1214 (Annandale, I, p. 2; Bain, I, 606), and he also witnessed the resignation by Dunegal, son of Udard of a carucate of land in Warmanbie within the same period. Adam became abbot of Newbattle in 1201 (Chron. Mail), and another Adam, a native of Lennox (Levenax), was a monk of great sanctity (ibid.). Duncan filius Ade occurs as witness in a charter gifting the church of Wemyss to the Hospital of Soltre, now Soutra in Midlothian, between 1200—1240 (Soltre, p. 14). Sir Ade, a Pope's knight, was vicar of Inverkippe, 1329 (ER., I, p. 209), Andrew Adam was one of the representatives of Lanark in the obligation by the burghs to pay part of the ransom of King James I (APS., I, p. 517), and William, son of Ade de Kydlaw, was a charter witness at Yester, 1374 (Yester, p. 26). Robert Adam (1728-1792), architect, and William Adam (1751—1839), politician, were two of the most eminent of the name.

(Hebrew) Earthy, or Red Earth; Man. [Hebrew Adhám].

This name has several origins in Ireland. In Co.

Cork it was a Gaelic patronymic, Mac Adaim, assumed by a branch of the Norman Barrys; in Co. Armagh it is a synonym of MacCadden; in Co. Cavan it can be for MacCaw, q.v.; in Dublin and Belfast it is often Scottish.

MIF 18

“Red Earth” in Hebrew.

(Welsh, English) The son of Adam (red earth).

The personal name, much more used as a baptismal appellation in the middle ages than at present. In the H. R. it is written, Adam, Adams, fil' Ad, and ab Adam. There are various modifications of this name which have also become surnames. See English Surn. ii., 166, and subsequent articles in this work, all under AD.

Man, earthly, red. The families of Adam and Adamson, are descended from Duncan son of Alexander Adam, temp. Robert Bruce.

(Hebrew.) Man, earthly, or red. The surname of Adam is of great antiquity in Scotland. Duncan Adam, son of Alexander Adam, lived in the reign of King Robert Bruce, and had four sons, from whom all the Adams, Adamsons, and Adies in Scotland are descended.

Adam: a gaoler (“Comedy of Errors,” IV. III.).

Adams. —Rare in the eastern and northern counties. In the north, however, its place is sometimes taken by Adamson and Addison, as in the county of Durham. It is at present best represented in Bucks, Devon, Hants, and Staffordshire, and in the counties on the Welsh border, Shropshire and Monmouthshire. This name, according to Lower, was more frequent in the Middle Ages. Adamson is found in the north of England and in the south of Scotland.