MACADAM
Also recorded as Mac Adam, Macadam
MacAdam
MacAdam is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin, deriving from the personal name Adam. The prefix "Mac" meaning son of, suggests that the name originally meant "son of Adam". The name is often found in Scotland, particularly in the Highland region.
The MacAdam family is said to have originated from the Clan MacAdam, a sept of Clan MacGregor. The MacAdam clan played a significant role in Scottish history, particularly during the medieval period.
Notable individuals with the surname MacAdam include John Loudon McAdam (1756–1836), a Scottish engineer and road-builder who revolutionised road construction methods with his invention of "macadamisation". His work led to the development of modern road surfaces that greatly improved transportation across Britain and beyond.
The MacAdam surname continues to be found among the Scottish diaspora in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where descendants of Scottish immigrants have maintained their ancestral ties.
Overall, the MacAdam surname represents a rich heritage of Scottish culture and history, with a legacy of ingenuity and innovation in fields such as engineering and road construction.
There are approximately 443 people named MacAdam in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named MacAdam.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alistair
- Andrew
- David
- Douglas
- Harry
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Robert
- William
Female
- Alexandra
- Angela
- Anne
- Carol
- Fiona
- Frances
- Helen
- Lindsay
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Sarah
- Susan