AF&AM vs F&AM: What the Masonic Letters Mean—and What They Don’t
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If you have seen lodge names written as A.F. & A.M., AF&AM, F. & A.M., or F&AM, you may wonder whether the letters describe different kinds of Freemasonry.
The short answer is:
- AF&AM means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
- F&AM means Free and Accepted Masons.
The difference is primarily a matter of Grand Lodge naming and jurisdictional history. The initials by themselves do not create a universal rank, do not tell you that one group is “higher” than another, and should not be used alone to decide whether a lodge is recognized.
What does AF&AM stand for?
AF&AM is an abbreviation for Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Some Grand Lodges and their constituent lodges use this wording in their official names.
A current Canadian example is the Grand Lodge of Manitoba A.F. & A.M., which uses “Ancient Free and Accepted Masons” in its formal identity.
What does F&AM stand for?
F&AM is an abbreviation for Free and Accepted Masons. Other Grand Lodges use that wording in their formal names.
Both styles are widely recognizable within North American Freemasonry. You may also encounter punctuation differences such as A.F.&A.M., AF & AM, F.&A.M., or F&AM. Those typographic variations do not normally signal a separate degree system.
Is AF&AM different from F&AM?
Historically, the words “Ancient” and “Modern” connect to complicated developments in British and American Masonic history. But reducing today’s AF&AM/F&AM labels to a simple rule like “AF&AM follows one ritual and F&AM follows another” is too broad.
Modern Grand Lodges inherited different names and traditions through jurisdiction-specific histories. In practical terms, the letters tell you how a particular Grand Lodge styles itself; they do not give you a reliable shortcut for every difference in ritual, governance, regularity, or recognition.
That nuance is echoed in current public discussions among Freemasons. When people ask whether AF&AM and F&AM are different “types,” experienced members usually point them back to the specific Grand Lodge rather than treating the abbreviation as a universal classification system.
Is AF&AM higher than F&AM?
No. Neither abbreviation represents a higher degree or superior rank.
Craft Freemasonry’s familiar degree structure is Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. The AF&AM or F&AM label belongs to the name or style of a Grand Lodge and its lodges, not to an additional degree.
For the degree structure, see Degrees of Freemasonry Explained.
Do the initials prove a lodge is legitimate or recognized?
No. This is the most important practical warning in this article.
A lodge calling itself AF&AM or F&AM does not, by the letters alone, prove that another Grand Lodge recognizes it. Recognition is a relationship between Grand Lodges and must be checked through current official sources.
If you are evaluating a lodge, ask:
- Which Grand Lodge issued its charter or warrant?
- Does that Grand Lodge list the lodge in its official directory?
- Is that Grand Lodge recognized by the jurisdiction relevant to you?
Our guide What Is a Grand Lodge in Freemasonry? explains why recognition matters and why Freemasonry has no single global governing office.
Why do neighboring jurisdictions use different letters?
Because Grand Lodges are independent jurisdictions with their own history, constitutions, terminology, and official styles. A state or province can preserve wording inherited from its founding even when a neighboring jurisdiction uses different initials.
That means the abbreviation is best read as part of a proper name. It can tell you something about a Grand Lodge’s formal style, but it cannot replace research into that Grand Lodge’s actual history and recognition relationships.
What does “Accepted” mean?
The word “accepted” is part of long-standing Masonic terminology. Historical explanations commonly connect it to the evolution of Freemasonry from operative stonemason traditions toward lodges that also admitted men who were not working stonemasons.
As with much early Masonic history, simplified stories can overstate certainty. For a modern reader, the key point is that “Accepted” is part of the traditional name of the fraternity, not a modern membership status separate from “Freemason.”
What does “Ancient” mean in AF&AM?
“Ancient” reflects historical Masonic naming traditions rather than a claim that every AF&AM jurisdiction is older than every F&AM jurisdiction. It should not be read literally as a date stamp or quality ranking.
If you encounter a website claiming that AF&AM automatically means one exact ritual lineage everywhere, or that F&AM is inherently less traditional, check that claim against the Grand Lodge’s own history. Masonic development in North America is more jurisdiction-specific than those shortcuts suggest.
AF&AM, F&AM and Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges may also use familiar Masonic abbreviations and naming forms. The abbreviation alone does not tell you whether a body is Prince Hall, mainstream/state, recognized, or unrecognized.
For the historical lineage, see What Is Prince Hall Freemasonry?. For visitation or recognition, check the current official Grand Lodge sources on both sides.
How should you read a lodge name on a ring, coin or certificate?
If an inherited ring, coin, certificate, apron, or document includes AF&AM or F&AM, treat the initials as a clue—not a complete identification.
Look for:
- the full Grand Lodge name;
- a lodge name or number;
- city, state, province, or country;
- dates;
- officer titles; and
- other symbols or inscriptions.
Those details are far more useful for tracing the correct jurisdiction. Our family-history guide explains how to research lodge numbers and Grand Lodge records.
Frequently asked questions
Does AF&AM mean Ancient Free and Accepted Masons?
Yes.
Does F&AM mean Free and Accepted Masons?
Yes.
Are AF&AM and F&AM separate Masonic degrees?
No. They are naming abbreviations used by Grand Lodges and lodges, not degree numbers.
Can AF&AM and F&AM Masons visit each other?
The initials do not answer that question. Visitation depends on recognition between the relevant Grand Lodges and their current rules.
Which one is “real” Freemasonry?
You cannot determine that from the initials alone. Identify the governing Grand Lodge and verify its current recognition relationships.
Bottom line
AF&AM means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; F&AM means Free and Accepted Masons. The difference is meaningful as part of jurisdictional naming and history, but it is not a universal hierarchy and not a stand-alone test of recognition.
If you are looking at Masonic symbolism on a keepsake, you can browse our Masonic coin collection. These are retail commemorative items, not official Grand Lodge credentials.