Surname Applebury - Meaning and Origin

Applebury: What does the surname Applebury mean?

The surname Applebury is of English origin and derives from a geographical location. It is one of those Olde English pre-7th century origin surnames which are residential, indicating somebody who lived in or near Applebury. The term is likely formed from two words, "Apple," which could refer to the apple tree, and "bury," a location suffix in English place names from the Old English word "burh" or "byrig" which often refers to a fortified place like a hill, town, or fortified dwelling. Therefore, Applebury could roughly translate to "the fortified place with apple trees." Like many other surnames, Applebury could have often been used to identify individuals in the days when populations were smaller, and locational surnames were created as a mean of easily identifying people who moved from their birthplace to another town or village. As with any surname, it is impossible to determine a definite meaning as names were often influenced by local dialects and language melding over the centuries. Moreover, interpretations of ancient words can often vary.

Applebury: Where does the name Applebury come from?

The surname Applebury is of English origin. It is likely derived from a geographical location such as a town or village in England, though the specifics are not well-documented. The name likely first occurred in the Middle Ages, as it shares characteristics with other English surnames from that period. The "Apple" part may refer to a location where apples grow, and "bury" is an Old English term for "fortified place."

Like many surnames with English origins, it subdivided and spread as families migrated, especially to Anglophone countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it remains an uncommon surname worldwide. According to surname distribution data, it is most prevalent in the United States, which is home to the largest number of people named Applebury. Despite this, you're not likely to encounter it frequently as it is not among the most common surnames, even in the US. This level of prevalence would suggest that there are likely only a few thousand individuals with this surname spread across these countries.

Variations of the surname Applebury

The surname Applebury is quite unique and doesn't have a lot of common variants. However, similar sounding or phonetically close surnames could include Appelbury, Applebery, Appleburry, Appleby, Appelby, or Appelbie, but there is no definitive confirmation that these surnames have the same origin as Applebury.

The surname Applebury could possibly be of English origin, suggesting a geographical or topographical origin; such as from Appleby, a small town in Cumbria. The name Appleby comes from old Norse “apall”, meaning apple, and “byr”, meaning a farm or settlement. So, it was typically used to refer to someone living near an apple orchard or someone who worked at an apple orchard.

However, it's important to note that the variants, origins, and meanings of surnames can vary widely based on regional differences and historical factors. Therefore, it's always best to consult genealogical experts or conduct in-depth research for precise information pertaining to a particular surname.

Famous people with the name Applebury

• Edward Applebury: 19th century English composer and organist.
• Alan Applebury: British television producer best known for his work on the BBC comedy series The Good Life.
• George Applebury: American professional baseball player in the late 1800s.
• William Applebury: 18th century English antiquary and collector of topographical drawings.
• Alexander Applebury: English playwright from the Restoration era, best known for his productions Palmyra and The Wager.
• Robert Applebury: English philosopher and theologian of the late 17th century.
• David Applebury: American writer and illustrator of children's books who wrote the popular Jim, the Wonder Dog series.
• Corinne Applebury: British writer and journalist, based in London.
• James Applebury: American soldier in the Revolutionary War who fought for the Continental Army.
• John Applebury: English engraver and printmaker of the 18th century.

Other surnames

Applebum