Show ContentsEms History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ems is a name whose history dates possibly as far back as 1066 when the Normans first arrived in Britain following their Conquest of the island. It was a name for 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 Ems family

The surname Ems 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 Ems family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ems 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 Ems History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ems Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ems include Ames, Amess, Amies, Amis, Amiss, Amos, Hames, Haymes, Eames, Emmes and many more.

Early Notables of the Ems 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 Ems Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Ems migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Emss to arrive on North American shores:

Ems Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joan Jurgen Ems, aged 47, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 6
  • Valentine Ems, aged 19, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 6
Ems Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Nicholas Ems, aged 47, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 6
  • Franz Joseph Ems, who landed in America in 1850 6
  • Johann Ems, who landed in America in 1851 6
  • Peter, II Ems, who landed in America in 1851 6
  • Dietrich Ems, aged 43, who arrived in New York, NY in 1874 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Ems (post 1700) +

  • Bradley Ems, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Missouri 3rd District, 1994 7


The Ems 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.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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.
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. 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)
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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