Adames Surname: Origin, Meaning & Family History

Meaning & Etymology

A Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surname derived from the given name 'Adam', itself from the Hebrew 'adam', meaning 'man' or 'earth', referring to the creation of man from the dust of the ground in the Book of Genesis. The -es suffix is a Spanish/Portuguese genitive indicating 'son of Adam'.

History & Origins of the Adames Name

The Adames surname has been part of the English landscape since the medieval period. The development of hereditary surnames in England accelerated after the Norman Conquest, as record-keeping became more systematic and families needed fixed identifiers for legal and property purposes.

Historical records trace the Adames surname to 1378, with the name associated with Andalusia, Spain. Parish records, tax rolls, and manorial documents from this period provide evidence of the family's presence and standing in their local communities. The geographic distribution of a surname often reveals important clues about a family's origins and the movements of their ancestors over the centuries.

The Adames family name appears in the records of the British gentry and peerage, with connections including The Adames family held hidalgo status in the Canary Islands and Andalusia, with several branches emigrating to the Americas where they became established landowners and local officials in colonial Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama.. While not every branch of a family held titles, the connection to the peerage system demonstrates the family's place within the broader social fabric of British history. Many families moved between the gentry and the titled aristocracy over the centuries, with fortunes rising and falling according to political allegiance, marriage alliances, and economic circumstances.

The Adames name has been carried by notable figures across a range of fields. Juan Adames (1842-1912) - Panamanian politician who served in the government of Colombia before Panamanian independence, known as 1842-1912, demonstrated the family name's reach beyond the traditional aristocracy. Carlos Adames (born 1994) - Dominican professional boxer who won the WBC super welterweight world title in 2022, born 1994, further illustrates the diverse contributions of those bearing this surname. These individuals represent just a fraction of the Adames legacy that continues to unfold.

Coat of Arms

Coats of arms were granted to specific individuals and their descendants, not to everyone sharing a surname. If you believe you may be entitled to bear the Adames arms, the College of Arms can help verify your lineage. Learn more in our guide: How Do I Find My Family Crest?

Peerage & Noble Ties

This surname has connections to the gentry and titled families throughout history.

• The Adames family held hidalgo status in the Canary Islands and Andalusia, with several branches emigrating to the Americas where they became established landowners and local officials in colonial Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama.

The Adames name features in records of the British peerage system, connecting this lineage to the aristocratic traditions that helped define British governance and society. To understand where these titles sit in the hierarchy, see our interactive peerage hierarchy chart.

Distinguished Bearers of the Adames Name

Related Surnames

These surnames share a similar Spanish origin and may have historical connections to the Adames family.

Explore England Lordship Cities

Discover the lordship history of cities connected to the Adames family's Spanish heritage.