McAdam

McAdam is a Scottish and Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic name "Mac Adaim" which means "son of Adam." The McAdam surname is primarily found in Scotland, particularly in southern Scotland, although it can also be found in Ireland.

The McAdam family has a long history, with records showing that they were prominent landowners in various parts of Scotland. The name is believed to have originated from the region of Dumfries and Galloway in southwest Scotland.

Over the centuries, the McAdam family has spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. Many McAdams emigrated to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where the name has continued to be passed down through generations.

Notable individuals with the McAdam surname include Sir William McAdam, a 19th-century Scottish civil engineer who worked on various railways and road projects, and actress Jill McBain, whose birth surname was McAdam.

Today, the McAdam surname continues to be a common name in Scotland and is carried by individuals from various walks of life. The name is often associated with qualities such as resilience, strength, and perseverance, reflecting the character of the Scottish and Irish people from whom it originated.

There are approximately 3,788 people named McAdam in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,458th most common surname in Britain. Around 58 in a million people in Britain are named McAdam.

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

  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Andrea
  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jean
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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