Surname McAdams - Meaning and Origin

“A Journey of Self-Discovery: Embracing the Legacy of McAdams Through iGENEA DNA Test.”

In the quest to understand my lineage, an iGENEA DNA test served as a tool to unlock my heritage. While I expected a broad view of my ancestry, I was drawn into a profound exploration of the McAdams surname and its historical significance.

O. McAdams

McAdams: What does the surname McAdams mean?

The last name McAdams is of Scottish and Irish origin and it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Adaim," meaning "Son of Adam." The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" means "son of" in Gaelic, while "Adam" is a Hebrew name meaning "man" or "mankind." Consequently, people bearing this surname are believed to be descendants of a man named Adam. This name started appearing in records from the 13th century onward, primarily found in Scotland and Ireland. Like many surnames from this era, spelling variations over time and across regions are common, including McAdam, MacAdam, and others. It is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from the personal name of an ancestor. Today, McAdams is a common surname in both Scotland and Ireland, and among those of Scottish and Irish descent worldwide.

McAdams: Where does the name McAdams come from?

The surname McAdams is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Adam, which is itself derived from the Hebrew name Adam. The prefix 'Mc' is a common Irish and Scottish prefix meaning 'son of'. The surname thus essentially means "son of Adam". Variations of the name include MacAdam, McAdam, MacAdams, and McAdams. The McAdams surname was first found in Annandale, where the family held a family seat from early times.

Today, the surname is prevalent in countries that have seen extensive Irish and Scottish immigration, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and parts of the United Kingdom. In the United States, it is most common in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. Additionally, it remains quite common in its country of origin, Scotland. Despite its worldwide distribution, the name is still not extraordinarily common, ranking as the 2,170th most common surname in the world as per available data.

Variations of the surname McAdams

The surname McAdams is of Scottish origin and is primarily associated with Irish and Scottish families. It has a few variants and spellings including MacAdam, MacAdams, McAdam, and M’Adam. The "Mc" or "Mac" prefix means "son of," so all these names essentially mean "son of Adam."

Occasionally, the surname can be slightly modified due to regional accents, transcription errors or simply personal preference. Other possible spellings could include Mccadams, M'cadams, or M'cadam, while less common variants for McAdams may include Mackadam or Mackadams.

Despite originating from "Adam," it is distinct from the surnames Adams or Adamson. The name could have also evolved into other forms in non-English-speaking countries, adapting to local linguistic patterns. It's important to note that any surname can potentially have myriad variations, influenced by factors ranging from language to historical events to individual or family preference.

Finally, surname homonyms (names with the same spelling but different origins) exist, so it's conceivable that multiple sources could contribute to the global population of people bearing the surname McAdams.

Famous people with the name McAdams

• Rachel McAdams: is a Canadian actress who has had roles in several films including "Mean Girls," "The Notebook," "The Time Traveler's Wife," and many other films.
• Ryan McAdams: is an American jazz pianist, composer, producer, and educator. He is the music director/conductor for the Grammy-nominated Choral Society at the Juilliard School in New York City.
• Mary Kay McAdams: is an American actress residing in Los Angeles, California with a long career in television, including credits on Full House, Weeds, Andy Barker, P.I, and NCIS.
• Graham McAdams: is the CEO of Positive Change Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in conflict management and negotiation training and consulting.
• Rya McAdams: is an American writer, producer, director, and actress who is best known for her work on the ABC show How To Get Away with Murder.
• Mark McAdams: is an American author and public speaker who has appeared on various talk shows and lectures on topics such as the power of believing in yourself.
• Jay McAdams: is a former professional light-middleweight boxer and trainer who has also competed in martial arts.
• Steve McAdams: was an American football player who played running back for the Cincinnati Bengals during the late 1970s.
• Michael McAdams: is an American school administrator who has been a principal of several schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
• Andrea McAdams: is an American television host and author who has appeared on several television programs, including Access Hollywood and Good Morning America.

Other surnames

McAdam