The Cameron Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Cameron, its origins in Scotland, and the story behind a Cameron family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Cameron coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Cameron name
Cameron has two Scottish origins. In the Highlands it comes from Gaelic camshròn, "crooked nose", the name of the clan whose chiefs, the Camerons of Lochiel, held lands in Lochaber. In the Lowlands it is a habitational name from places called Cameron, notably in Fife, probably meaning "crooked hill". Highland emigration carried the name in large numbers to Canada, especially Nova Scotia and Ontario, and to Australia.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Cameron name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Cameron name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Canada, Australia and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Cameron family history
The complete Cameron pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Cameron name FAQ
What does the Cameron name mean?
Crooked nose; crooked hill. Common variants include Camron, Camerone, Cammeron.
Where does the Cameron surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Canada, Australia and the United States.
Is there a Cameron coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Cameron crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Cameron coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).