Originally this name was thought to be of Norwegian origin as the name Adamsenn is known in that country and Pittenweem, the home of the Adamsons of my ilk came from that town. However, in his book The Surnames of Scotland, George Black gave a different story.
The origins of the Adamson branch of the family are lost in the mists of antiquity, but my researches have uncovered direct relations going back to 1715, although there are tantalizing glimpses of the name from a much earlier era. In that fabulous journal Ancient Records of the Burgh of Pittenweem there are many references to the name Adamson, the earliest of which is dated 1 June 1590, where “George Adamson of Counsell” is listed as one of the signatories to the Covenant. Another reference occurs after the dreadful battle of Kilsyth in 1645 where most of the able bodied men of the village were put to the sword. “The schip callit ye 'Bountie,' lying wrakit at full sea, through Alex. Adamsone, maister, and haill mariners being killit at Kylsyth” . Yet again, the name Adamson crops up during the great plague where, like so many other towns, Pittenweem quarantined the whole village to prevent the disease from taking hold (which appears to have been effective). Guards were put at various outposts of the town in 1647 which included “Wm. Adamsone's barn gavel”, In the Church Graveyard in Pittenweem is a grave stone which states “Here lyes the corps of a famous man David Binning, Skipper and late Beallie of this Brugh and husband to Agnes Adamson, departed the 1st of September 1675. His age 36”. All good stuff, but no proof of course, at least to date
There are Adamsons today living in Pittenweem who are the direct descendents of the ancestor of 1715, but any persons wishing to undertake further research in this area should consult the page Future Adamson Research before attempting to contact anyone in that village.
If you are interested in the Adamsons of Pittenweem and their descendants, you can start by going to Adamson Tree.
