Surname Amis - Meaning and Origin
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Amis: What does the surname Amis mean?
The last name Amis is of French origin and refers to someone who is a friend. It is one of the oldest surnames in the French language, dating back to the medieval period.
The word "amis" literally translates to "friend" in English, and denoted someone who was a close friend, ally, or companion in the past. Many different versions of the name Amis have been used over the centuries, such as Amy, Amoureux, Mignon, and Tourain.
The last name Amis may have come about through two different circumstances. It could be that a person simply adopted the name to signify their friendship with someone, while another possibility is that the name came about as a result of close community ties, either through family relationships or strong bonds created through business dealings.
In modern times, the surname Amis has been adopted by individuals living in many different places, such as France, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The name continues to signify strong friendships and relationships amongst people living in these areas and across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisAmis: Where does the name Amis come from?
The last name Amis is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. It is also found throughout the English-speaking world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For England specifically, surname data from the 1881 census suggests that the surname was concentrated around London and the South East of England. It is likely that the name is still concentrated in these areas today.
Additionally, a 2008 study of surnames in the British Isles found that the Amis surname held the 321st rank in England and the 267th in Wales, indicating that the surname was relatively common in these parts of Britain.
The Amis surname is also popular in the French-speaking world. A 2017 study of surnames in France found 'Amis' to be the 286th most popular last name. This French version of the surname is thought to have originated in the north of the country, near Flanders.
Finally, the surname is also common in Belgium and the Netherlands, both countries that share a linguistic and cultural affinity with France and the French-speaking world.
Overall, the Amis surname is widely spread throughout the English-speaking world, and in the French-speaking regions of Europe. It is likely that the surname is still quite common, especially in the United Kingdom and France.
Variations of the surname Amis
The surname Amis is of French origin. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Ames, Ami, Emil, Amius, Emme, Em, Eems, Ame, Emm, Emmey, Emmi, Amel, Emmi, Emme, Emee, and Eey.
The earliest occurrence of the word Amis is in Medieval French and can be traced to the people of Andalusia. It is most likely an occupational name describing someone who worked as an arming smith, or a protector of weapons and armor.
In England, the name Amis was adopted by the royal family in the 14th century. The name was also used in other European countries, such as Italy and Germany, where it is spelled Armys. The most common spelling of the name in the United States is Amis.
The name Amis is derived from the Latin word amicus, which means "friend." It is also related to the French word ami, which translates to "friend" in English.
Other names based on the surname Amis include Amico, Amice, Amijo, and Amicelli. There are also Jewish surnames stemming from the root word Amis, such as Amit and Emsky.
Finally, the name Amis is related to the Old English word amce, which is derived from the same Latin word. This word means "gentle" or "courteous," and it is often associated with the Middle English spelling of Amore—a term of endearment.
Famous people with the name Amis
- Martin Amis: A British novelist, renowned for his satires of British society. He is the son of the novelist Kingsley Amis, and is well known in the literary scene.
- Kingsley Amis: A 20th century British novelist, poet and critic. He was a professor at both the universities of Swansea and Cambridge. He was the author of multiple works of fiction, including Lucky Jim and The Old Devils.
- Chris Amis: An American film editor, known for his work on the films The Bourne Ultimatum and Edge of Tomorrow. He is the son of editor Kelly Matsumoto.
- Les Amis: A professional British vocal ensemble, made up of six vocalists and two instrumentalists. They perform a variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, and folk.
- Felicity Amis: An English actor and writer, best known for her roles in Brigadoon and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She has also penned episodes for various television series, such as Coronation Street.
- William Amis: A notable Australian professional golfer, who has competed in various competitions across Australia and Europe. He was a former winner of the Australian Amateur Championship.
- James Amis: An acclaimed British historian and museum curator, who served as the senior cabinet member of the Imperial War Museum. He is best known for authoring various books on the history of World War II.
- Alan Amis: A British music critic and author, who has published papers and reviews on various musical artists, including the Beatles, U2 and Roxy Music. He also wrote a comprehensive history of rock and roll.
- Ezekial Amis: A professor of Sociology and filmmaker, who has written works on a variety of topics, including racial justice, higher education inequality, legal reform and mass media studies.
- Katherine Amis– An American environmental conservationist and attorney, who most recently served as the Executive Director of the EarthJustice organization, devoted to protecting the environment through the use of the legal system.