Origins of the name Cameron
From "The Surnames of Scotland" by Dr. G.F. Black
Cameron has 2 origins - Highland and Lowland.
The Highland Clan name is derived from a facial deformity. In Gaelic cam-shron means wry or hook nose, which was a characteristic of the old Clan Cameron families. The general herediary patronymic of the chiefs of the clan is MacDhomhnuill Duibh, from their ancestor Domhnull Dubh or "Black Donald".
The first assured chief was Donald Du, about 1411. Tradition gives them a longer pedigree, but then it was customary for traditions to do so, so who can tell ?
The Lowland version is from 3 place names - Cameron near Edinburgh, in Lennox and in Fife. The first example was Adam de Kamerum, who witnessed a charter in 1214-19. Hugh Cambrun was sheriff of Forfar 1219. Johannes Cambron who was a witness in Moray 1233 may be the same as Sir John Cambrun 1239, who may also have been John de Cambrun who was sheriff of Perth 1264. Other spellings de Cambroune, de Cambernon 1296, de Camburnon or Caumbroun 1297, de Cambron 1291, de Cambroun 1305, Cambrin 1365, Cambrone 1351, Cambrawno 1402, de Cameron 1421, Cameroun 1425, Camerown 1446, Cameroun 1448, Camrowne 1485, Camron 1498, Camproun 1546, Camroun, Camprone, Camrone & Campbroun 1543, Camphron 1574, Calmeroune 1605, Cameronne 1650. The name Cameron was common in Edinburgh in the 17th century.
See also Cambernon. David and John de Cambernon served Edward I of England in 1296. They probably came from the family of Champernowne in Devonshire, who originated in the parish of Cambernon in the departement of La Manche, Normandy. This place name may be the origin of the place names from which the Lowland Camerons took their name.
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Re: Origins of the name Cameron
Margaret Cameron 9/21/02