Amador
What is the origin of the last name Amador?
Meaning and origin
The last name Amador originates from the Spanish language and has roots in Latin. Derived from the Latin word "amator," meaning "lover" or "admirer," Amador is a patronymic surname typically denoting "son of Amador" or "descendant of Amador." This surname is frequently encountered in Spanish-speaking countries and is associated with individuals whose ancestors were perceived as passionate or fond of someone or something.
The longer story
The last name Amador has deep historical roots and carries significant meaning. Here are the facts:
1. Amador is a Spanish and Portuguese surname with origins dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "amator," meaning "lover" or "one who loves."
2. The name Amador is primarily found in Spanish-speaking countries, such as Spain, Mexico, and Argentina, as well as in Portuguese-speaking countries like Portugal and Brazil.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,603
Amador was the 1,603rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 22,370 people, about 7.2 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Amador
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Amador is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.