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Emms History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Emms History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Emms was formed many centuries ago by the early Norman settlers that followed the 1066 Conquest of the island. It was a name typically given to a good friend or beloved one. The name was originally derived from the Old French given name or nickname Amis or Ami, which means friend. Alternatively the name could have been derived from the "descendant of Amos (burden-bearer.)" 1

Early Origins of the Emms family

The surname Emms was first found in the county of Northumberland, where they were granted lands by King William after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They originated from Exmes, a town in the department of Orne, in Normandy. 2

"Amos, like Amias or Amyas, represents popular forms of the Norman-French Aimee, or Amys. " 3 Kirby's Quest had the first listing for the family: Thomas Amys, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 4

Another sources notes: "the present family of Amos, established in the Faversham district, [in Kent] probably can claim an ancestor in Thomas Amos, a well - to - do yeoman of Ospringe, who in 1769 bequeathed £100 for the poor of Molash." 5

Early History of the Emms family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emms research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1576, 1619, 1633, 1640, 1641, 1689, 1692, 1693, 1695, 1721, 1759, 1864 and 1889 are included under the topic Early Emms History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emms Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Emms have been found, including Ames, Amess, Amies, Amis, Amiss, Amos, Hames, Haymes, Eames, Emmes and many more.

Early Notables of the Emms family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Ames (Latin: Guilielmus Amesius) (1576-1633), an English Protestant divine, philosopher, and controversialist.Henry Metcalfe Ames, of Lynden Hall, Northumberland was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1864.Joseph Ames (1619-1695), was an English naval commander from Norfolk who commanded several ships of war, and made repeated voyages to America and the West Indies...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emms Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emms migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Emms were among those contributors:

Emms Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Wm Emms, aged 22, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 6

Emms Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Darby Emms, who landed in Virginia in 1723 7

Emms Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Emms, Infant, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mr. Franklin Emms, aged 2, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mr. Joseph Emms, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mrs. Mary A. Emms, aged 30, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Miss Mary A. Emms, aged 1, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Emms Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Michael Emms, aged 53, originally from Liverpool, arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Germanic" from Liverpool, England 8
Ellen Emms, aged 26, originally from London, arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Saint Paul" from Southampton, England 8
Arthur Lewis Emms, aged 33, originally from London, arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Saint Paul" from Southampton, England 8
Frank Emms, aged 24, originally from Kingston-on Thames, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Saint Louis" from Southampton, England 8
Arthur George Emms, aged 31, originally from Sunderland, England, arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Emms migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Emms Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

David Emms, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 9
Mr. Edward Emms, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. Robert Emms, British Convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Mr. George Emms, (b. 1805), aged 27, English butcher who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "England"on 31st March 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Robert Emms, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Emms (post 1700) +

David Acfield Emms OBE (1925-2015), English educationalist and former rugby union player
Gail Elizabeth Emms MBE (b. 1977), English five-time gold, three-time silver and two-time bronze medalist badminton player, winner of the World Badminton Grand Prix title in 2003
Winifred Emms (1883-1972), known by her stage name Hetty King, an English entertainer who played in the music halls over a period of 70 years
Robert Emms (b. 1986), born Robert James MacPherson, an English film, stage and television actor; Screen International named him as a 'Star of Tomorrow' in 2011
John Victor Emms (1912-1993), English landscape painter
John Emms (1844-1912), English painter from Norfolk, son of artist Henry William Emms
John Michael Emms (b. 1967), English chess player, International Grandmaster, captain of the English Olympiad team in 2002, coach of the woman's team in the 36th Chess Olympiad in 2004
Leighton Alfred "Hap" Emms (1905-1988), Canadian NHL ice hockey player, coach, owner and General Manager of the Boston Bruins (1965–1967), eponym of the Emms Family Award, awarded annually to the OHL Rookie of the Year and The Hap Emms Memorial Trophy
Carl Emms (b. 1966), known professionally as Carlos, a British radio presenter and disc jockey
William Emms (1930-1993), Australian school teacher and scriptwriter, known for The Newcomers (1965-1966), ZCars (1965-1971) and Doctor Who (1965)

The Emms Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fama candida rosa dulcior
Motto Translation: Fame is sweeter than the white rose.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832