This French and English surname of ADER was originally from the Hebrew personal name ADAM, which was borne according to Genesis, by the first man. It is of uncertain etymolology, and often said to be from the Hebrew ADAMA (earth). The Greek legend that Zeus fashioned the first human beings from earth. It was very popular as a given name throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. The name has numerous variant spellings which include ADER, ADAMI, DAMI, ADAMKSI, ADAMSKY, AZAM, ADAMINI, ADAMOLI, ADAMIK and ADEMIK, to name but a few. A notable member of the name was Clement ADER (1841-1926) the French engineer and pioneer of aviation. In 1890 he built a steam-powered bat-winged aeroplane, the EOLE, which made the first powered take-off in history, but could not be steered and flew no more that 50 metres. French, or rather Norman French, was the language of the aristocracy and the upper classes in England at the time fixed surnames were being developed, it is therefore not surprising that many of our well-known family names are derived from French words. Originally only Christian or personal names were used, and although a few came into being during the 10th century, surnames were not widely used until much later, when people began to realize the prestige of having a second name. America was colonized by peoples from all over the world in a very short period of time, and mostly, in the case of French immigrants they have stayed together in Louisiana. Of the early immigrants to America the French have fared the worst in respect of their names, chiefly because of the difficulties experienced by the Americans in pronouncing them correctly. Many have been translated into English names. In the Middle Ages the Herald (old French herault) was an officer whose duty it was to proclaim war or peace, carry challenges to battle and messages between sovereigns; nowadays war or peace is still proclaimed by the heralds, but their chief duty as court functionaries is to superintend state ceremonies, such as coronations, installations, and to grant arms. Edward III (1327-1377) appointed two heraldic kings-at-arms for south and north, England in 1340. The English College of Heralds was incorporated by Richard III in 1483-84.