Surname meaning for "Adrian"
English, southern French, and German: from a vernacular form of the
Latin personal name (H)adrianus, originally an ethnic name
denoting someone from the coast of the Adriatic (Latin
Adria). It was adopted as a cognomen by the emperor who ruled
ad 117–138. It was also borne by several minor saints, in
particular an early martyr at Nicomedia (died c.304), the
patron saint of soldiers and butchers. There was an English St. Adrian
(died 710), born in North Africa; he was abbot of St. Augustine’s,
Canterbury, and his cult enjoyed a brief vogue after the discovery of
his supposed remains in 1091. Later, the name was adopted by several
popes, including the only pope of English birth, Nicholas Breakspear,
who reigned as Adrian IV (1154–59).