Adams
AY-dəmz
A surname and occasionally given name ultimately tied to Adam, the biblical “red earth” name.
Meaning
Adams is generally understood as derived from Adam, the biblical first man’s name, from Hebrew for “red earth” or “ground.” In English usage it is primarily a surname, formed as a patronymic meaning “son of Adam,” and it can also appear as a given name in some families and traditions.
Origin
HebrewLatinEnglishvaries by culture
Fun fact
The 1884 excerpt links Adams directly with the Hebrew sense “red earth,” showing the old etymological tradition behind the name.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names.