Abrams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The saga of the Abrams family name begins among the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Abrams name is derived from the name Abraham. The name means chief (or father) of a multitude and exalted father.

Early Origins of the Abrams family

The surname Abrams was first found in Balfeth, in Scotland, in 1163, where Adam Abraham, Bishop of Dunblain, held extensive lands. Further south in Lancashire, the township of Abram was home to another branch of the family. “This township was originally called Adburgham, and afterwards Abraham, and gave name to an ancient family of landowners, of whom Gilbert de Abram and John Abraham are mentioned in the reigns of Henry IV. and Henry V. There are some ancient seats, among which is Abram Hall, a moated brick mansion existing since the time of Henry VI.” [1]

Early History of the Abrams family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abrams research.

Abrams Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Abrams has appeared Abraham, Abram, Abrams, Abrahams and others.

Abrams Ranking

In the United States, the name Abrams is the 1,369^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [2]

 Migration of the Abrams family to Ireland

Some of the Abrams family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Abrams migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Abrams: 

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jim Abrams, who arrived in Virginia in 1657 [3]
• John Abrams, who arrived in Maryland in 1670 [3]

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• William Abrams, who settled in Maryland in 1733
• Jacob Abrams, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1786 [3]
• Robert Abrams, who arrived in Mississippi in 1798 [3]

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Morris Abrams, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 [3]
• A Abrams, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [3]
• S Abrams, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [3]
• John Charles Abrams, who landed in Mississippi in 1852 [3]

Abrams Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Myer Abrams, who landed in Mississippi in 1903 [3]