Ames
What is the origin of the last name Ames?
Meaning and origin
The last name Ames has a fascinating origin rooted in ancient English and French history. Derived from the Old French name Amis, which means "friend," Ames has its roots in the medieval period when surnames were often derived from personal characteristics or occupations. With variations such as Amys and Amyas also present, the surname eventually spread to England where it gained popularity. Over time, the name Ames underwent phonetic changes and spelling variations, leading to its current form.
The longer story
The last name Ames has an interesting origin and meaning. Here are the facts:
2. It is derived from the given name Amos, a Hebrew name meaning "burden" or "carried."
4. The Ames surname has been recorded in England since at least the 13th century.
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.
#1,598
Ames was the 1,598th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 22,385 people, about 7.3 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Ames
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Ames 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.