[1] The family's branches are descended from John Ames, the son of a 17th-century settler of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

[1] It is thought the family's surname was, at some point prior to emigration, changed from Amyas.

[2] William Ames immigrated to Massachusetts Bay in 1638, eventually settled in Braintree, and died in about 1653.

[8] They were donated to the college in 2000 by Elizabeth M. Ames, and later supplemented by additional deposits from other family members.

[8] The following is a list of businesses in which the Ames family have held a controlling or otherwise significant interest.