Adams Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Adams surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Adams name
Adams means "son of Adam", from the Hebrew name of the first man, often linked with adamah, "earth". Adam was a popular given name in medieval England, and the patronymic form with -s is typical of the Midlands, the west and Wales. Two early presidents of the United States, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, carried the name.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Adams name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Adams name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Adams family history
The researched Adams pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Adams coat of arms.
Adams name FAQ
What does the Adams name mean?
Son of Adam. Common variants include Adam, Addams, Adamson.
Where does the Adams surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Adams coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Adams crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Adams coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.