Amador
A Spanish surname from a given name meaning “one who loves” or “lover.”
The #1,603 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 13,802 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Amador comes from the Spanish word amador, meaning “one who loves” or “lover,” ultimately from Latin amātor, “lover.” As a surname, it is usually understood as deriving from a personal name or byname based on this affectionate term rather than from a place. It may also have been encouraged by the use of Amador as a Christian given name in Spanish-speaking lands.
History
The name is found in Spanish-speaking countries and spread widely through Iberian and later colonial usage. In genealogical records it often appears as both a surname and, less commonly, a given name. Modern bearers are especially common in Latin America and among Hispanic communities in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older Spanish vocabulary, amador could simply mean “someone who loves,” so the surname has a distinctly positive, personal sense.
From the historical record
“Amable. Lo que es digno de ser amado, Amador. Que ama. Amadores. Plural del anterior. Amaña. Arreglar mañosamente. Darse maña.”
— Diccionario de los apellidos