The surname Ames is usually either French, English or German in origin.
[1] The French name comes from the noun amie, meaning a friend or a beloved.
The surname also derives from the Old French and Middle English personal name Amys or Amice, the Latin amicus, or from a Late Latin derivative of this, Amicius.
[1] The name also has connections to the modern German name Ameise, meaning "ant".
[1] Variations of the surname include Aames, Amass, Amess, Amies, Amis, Amiss, Amos, Hames, Haymes, Eames, and others.