Surname Autrey - Meaning and Origin
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Autrey: What does the surname Autrey mean?
The surname Autrey is of French origin and is thought to be a geographical or locational surname. It is believed to derive from several places named Autrey or Autry in France. Locational surnames were initially given to the lord of the manor, or to someone who relocated from their original place of residence, and was then identified by the name of their birthplace. The place name Autrey itself is said to be derived from the old Gallo-Roman personal name "Aldric", which is composed of the Germanic elements "ald," meaning old, and "ric," meaning king or ruler. Therefore, the surname Autrey, deriving from this place name, could indirectly suggest 'descendant or follower of the old king'. However, as with many surnames, the original meaning may have evolved or changed over time and may not necessarily hold any significance for modern bearers of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisAutrey: Where does the name Autrey come from?
The surname Autrey is of French origin, derived from the ancient French region of Autrey, which can be traced back to Medieval times. Individuals bearing the Autrey surname initially lived in or around this place.
There are various locations in France named Autrey, included in the Haute-Saône, Vosges, and Meurthe-et-Moselle departments. The surname spread throughout areas of French influence, including several other European countries and regions colonized by France in the past.
Today, the surname Autrey is predominantly found in the United States of America and France, though it is also present around the world in smaller numbers. The spread can be attributed to migration from France to other parts of the world over centuries, especially to North America.
The surname Autrey, while not extremely common, is particularly prevalent in the southern United States, with Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina featuring a notably higher proportion of individuals bearing the surname. It is less common in northern states and other countries.
Variations of the surname Autrey
The surname Autrey has various variants and alternative spellings due to the phonetic interpretations and translations over centuries, across regions and even families.
Some significant variants and alternative spellings include: Autry, Autery, Auterey, Autray, Otray, Auteray, Otrey, and Awtrey.
Autrey is thought to be of Norman origin, deriving from the region of Autrey in France. The surname was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and later brought to Ireland and Scotland by Anglo-Norman settlers. It evolved differently in various regions, giving birth to many variations.
Related surnames may include Awtrey, and even Aldrich or Aldridge, as those surnames can come from a similar origin, where “Ald” means old and “ric” referring to power and ruler.
It's noteworthy that the spelling variations often happened due to translation between languages or even just errors in record-keeping. For instance, Autry was more commonly used in the United States, inspired by the famous singer and actor Gene Autry, while Autrey is predominantly used in France. The variant spellings yet carry the same or similar meaning, pertaining to the origin of the surname. Remember, different spellings might represent branches of the same family tree.
Famous people with the name Autrey
- Wesley Autrey: Also known as the "Subway Hero," Wesley risked his own life to save a stranger who had fallen onto the subway tracks in New York City in 2007. His quick thinking and selfless act earned him national recognition and numerous awards.
- Gary Autrey: A notable professional golfer, he competed at the Senior PGA Championship in 2013.
- Le Autrey: He is the son of the famous blues guitarist Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins. He's known to have been taught blues guitar directly from his father and shared stories of life with his father in interviews.
- DeMeco Ryans Autrey: DeMeco is a prominent American football coach and former line-backer. Currently, he is the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.
- Shante Broadus: Shante Broadus is Snoop Dogg's wife. Before marriage, her name was Shante Taylor, but she decided to use her middle name: Autrey: after getting wedded.
- Nick Autrey: He is recognized as a talented commercial director with numerous top-tier clients in the advertising industry. Note that some of the people listed may use 'Autrey' as their middle name and not their last name.