Find out how popular the last name Hames is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Hames.

Hames, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Hames surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hames in America

Hames is the 9003rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hames surname appeared 3,633 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Hames.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hames to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Hames

The surname Hames has its origins in England, where it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. It is thought to be a variant of the Old English word "hame," which referred to a piece of horse harness or a type of collar used for draft animals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hames can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1221, where a person named Richard Hames is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use and had likely been established in certain parts of England by that time.

During the Middle Ages, surnames derived from occupations were quite common, and it is possible that the Hames surname was originally borne by individuals involved in the trade or crafting of horse harnesses or related equipment. Alternatively, it could have been a descriptive name given to someone who worked with horses or was associated with the care and handling of these animals.

The Hames surname is also closely linked to several place names in England, such as Hammes in Gloucestershire and Hames in Wiltshire. These locations may have played a role in the formation and spread of the surname, as it was common for people to adopt surnames based on the places they were from or associated with.

One notable bearer of the Hames surname was William Hames, a prominent merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in the 16th century. He was born in London around 1520 and played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce during his lifetime.

Another historical figure with the Hames surname was John Hames, a Puritan minister who lived in the 17th century. He was born in Gloucestershire in 1615 and served as a clergyman in various parishes throughout his career, becoming known for his strong religious beliefs and teachings.

In the 18th century, William Hames (1707-1785) was a notable English engraver and printmaker, known for his intricate and detailed works. His engravings were highly regarded and can be found in various collections and museums around the world.

Moving into the 19th century, Samuel Hames (1812-1887) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Waterloo and the former City of London School.

Lastly, in the early 20th century, Herbert Hames (1884-1965) was a British politician and member of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies and held various positions within the party, contributing to the shaping of political discourse and policies during his career.

Overall, the surname Hames has a rich history deeply rooted in England's past, with connections to various occupations, places, and notable individuals who have contributed to various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hames

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Hames.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hames was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Hames has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Hames was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hames, please contact us.

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