Surname Amy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Amy: What does the surname Amy mean?
The last name Amy is found to be predominantly French, although it is also occasionally found in other regions. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it is most likely derived from a personal name, Amicus, a variant of the Latin word for “friend”. This would make sense given that “friend” is still an integral part of French culture.
The surname Amy often appears with a change in spelling, as some variations include Aime and Amie. The name is more commonly associated with French Canadian descendents.
The name Amy has been recorded in various spellings in France since at least the 1300s. It appears quite infrequently in the United States, but it is more common in Central and South America, which is likely due to the large influx of French settlers who traveled to this region from Canada and the New World.
Throughout history, the name Amy has been a proud reminder of French heritage and culture. It symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and devotion—all characteristics that French people are known for. Other than the fact that it is derived from a meaningful, personal name, this surname can be seen as an homage to French culture. It carries with it an ingrained sense of pride as it celebrates each generation of Amys and pays respect to their lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisAmy: Where does the name Amy come from?
The surname Amy is of French origin and is most commonly found in France. It is also a popular surname in England, Canada, and Wales. It is most often found in areas that experienced French colonization. In the United States, the last name Amy is found predominantly in the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Other states where the name is common include California, New York, Illinois, and Washington.
It has been suggested that the surname Amy was derived from the given name Edmé, and is thought to have been in use since the 12th century. As the name spread, it became known in different countries by different spellings, such as Ami, Aimee, and Amon. It is also possible that the name is of Germanic or Celtic origin, deriving from the name Amalric, which is made up of the elements "amal" meaning "work" and "ric" meaning "power".
The popularity of the name in the United States is partially due to the mass immigration of French and Cajun people during the 19th century. The name can also be found among the freed slaves from former French colonies in the southern states.
The surname Amy is one of the most common surnames in the world, with many variations of it, including Aimy, Ami, Aimee and Amui. It has therefore come to represent many different cultures and countries.
Variations of the surname Amy
The surname Amy is derived from the French personal given name Amée, which is a medieval form of the Latin name Amata. This name is derived from the Latin word ‘amatus’, which means ‘beloved’. The surname Amy is also known to have also derived from ‘Aimée’ and ‘Amia’ which are the French forms of the same Latin name.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Amy include Aimé, Amme, Ammi, Ama, Amare, Amari, Amey, Aymi, Aimee, Aimée, Aymie, Amaya, Amia, Amica, Amyca, Amée, Amayah, Ameya, and Amiah.
The surname Amy may also have been adopted as a variant of other surnames. For example, it may have been adopted as an alternative spelling of the surname Ami, which was likely derived from an Old French nickname from the medieval period. The surname Amy could also be used as a variant of the German surnames Aumeier and Ome, which are likely derived from the Old German personal name Umeo.
Additionally, the surname Amy may have derived from a variety of Anglicized forms of Gaelic and Irish surnames, such as ó hAibb/Aibbi, Mac Aim, Mac Aime, Mac Áimé/Áimí/Aymi, Ó hAimsy, Mac Amam, or Ó hIoma. The surname may also be a variant of the English surname Amey, which is derived from the Old English personal name Amiga.
Overall, the surname Amy is likely derived from a variety of different origins and is used in a variety of different spellings and to refer to many different surnames.
Famous people with the name Amy
- Amy Schumer: comedian, actress, writer, producer.
- Amy Winehouse: singer, songwriter.
- Amy Carter: daughter of the 39th US President.
- Amy Adams: Oscar-nominated actress.
- Amy Grant: Christian music singer/songwriter.
- Amy Lee: Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist.
- Amy Klobuchar: US Senator and former presidential candidate.
- Amy Sedaris: comedic actress, writer, and producer.
- Amy Klatzkin: Volleyball player and Olympian.
- Amy Macdonald: Scottish Recording Artist.
- Amy Huberman: Irish actress.
- Amy Vanderbilt: Authority on etiquette and protocol.
- Amy Volk: Republican State Representative from Maine.
- Amy Le Peilbet: US Women's Soccer player.
- Amy Lowell: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.
- Amy Poehler: Emmy Award-winning comedienne, actress, and writer.
- Amy Coney Barrett: US Supreme Court Justice.
- Amy Grant Hicks: Interior designer.
- Amy Nuttall: English Actress.
- Amy Weber: Model and Actress.