Surname Embree - Meaning and Origin

Embree: What does the surname Embree mean?

The surname Embree, commonly found in England, is primarily believed to be of Old French origin. It is a locational surname that may have derived from places in Normandy with names like Embray or Embrieux. Hence, the surname Embree could mean 'someone from Embray or Embrieux'.

Another theory suggests that the name is derived from the Old English words "ymbre" meaning border and "rig" meaning ridge, so it could be used to describe someone who lived near a ridge or border. Surnames were created in ancient times as a means to identify people by their occupation, location, or even physical features.

In history, people bearing the Embree surname are mainly found in the West Country and on the Isle of Wight region in England. These days, however, it can be found in various parts of the world due to migration over the past centuries. It is important to note that surname origins can be uncertain and varying theories may exist.

Embree: Where does the name Embree come from?

The surname Embree is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically from England. It is derived from the Old English phrase "ymb-ryne", meaning "regular sequence". Some believe it was likely used as a nickname for someone who was reliable or methodical. Alternatively, it may be a locational surname from a now lost place name, as it is often the case with many English last names.

Today, the surname Embree is most common in the United States. According to the 2010 United States census, there were 4,441 populations with Embree surname. The surname can also be found, to a lesser extent, in Canada, the UK, and Australia. Over time, the spellings of this surname has seen changes and different versions include Embury, Embrey, Emberey, Imber, Imbery, Imbury, and others. Although it is not a widely common surname, it can be found scattered in various regions across these countries.

Notable people with the surname Embree include American football coach Jon Embree, Canadian politician Bill Embree, and Canadian artist Edith Grace Coombs Embree.

Variations of the surname Embree

The surname Embree is believed to be of British origin. Along with its primary spelling as "Embree", it has various other spellings owing to the phonetic interpretations and geographical differences. Some of these surname variants include Embury, Emberey, Emberley, Embrey, Embreys, Embery, and Emberry.

It's also worthy to note that it may be connected or morphed into similar sounding surnames such as Emery, Ambery or even Amory. Local dialects, illiteracy and the changes in languages over time can contribute to the existence of these alternate versions of the same surname.

The surname Embree might also have slight variations because of patronymic, metronymic or matronymic derivations. The different spellings do not necessarily change the origin, as they all are believed to come from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Any specific derivation or variant of the surname "Embree" is likely connected to the families that have carried this name or its versions over centuries across different regions.

Famous people with the name Embree

• Ethan Embree: Known professionally as Ethan Suplee, he's an American film and television actor, known for his roles in films such as "American History X" and "The Butterfly Effect."
• Alyson Embree: An accomplished American costume designer for Hollywood films and TV series.
• Sean Embree: A professional football coach who has worked for teams like the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams.
• Robert Embree: A respected music conductor and teacher in America.
• Elijah Embree Hoss: A notable American Methodist preacher and writer, who was related to the Embree family.
• John Embree: A well-known anthropologist who specialized in Japanese society and was famous for his work in the field of cultural anthropology.
• Edwin Keith Embree: Was the president of the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which provided major financial support to African-American students and schools in the South in the early 20th century.
• Paul Embree: A retired professional tennis player from the United States, who competed in the 1990s. Please note that while these figures have made notable contributions to their fields, they may not meet traditional definitions of "fame" or widespread celebrity.

Other surnames

Embrey