Surname Embry - Meaning and Origin

Understanding the Embry Lineage: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test

After taking the iGENEA DNA test, I've discovered interesting facts about my family background and the origins of the Embry surname. The test's technicalities and accuracy have been insightful, revealing the migration of the Embry lineage throughout Eurasian history.

E. Embry

Embry: What does the surname Embry mean?

The surname Embry is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from the Old English pre 7th Century term "embrough," meaning "dweller by the enclosure." It is a geographical surname referring to those who lived near a plot of land enclosed by a fence, wall, or similar boundary. The name is also traced back to the village of Emborough in Somerset, England, suggesting that individuals bearing the surname might be descendants of the village's former inhabitants. Over time, variations in the spelling, such as Embrey, Embray, and Emburey, have developed through regional dialects and phonetic spellings. The name first appeared on record in the late 13th century. Like other surnames, it's important to note that the meaning of Embry can differ based on cultural, regional, and family history interpretations.

Embry: Where does the name Embry come from?

The last name Embry is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Embre", which was found in pre-conquest English rolls. There's also a possibility that it stemmed from the village of Emborough in Somerset, England.

Additionally, the name may have spread to Scotland and Ireland through migration. Examples abound of early recordings of the surname variations such as Embrey, Emberey, Embury, and Emberley in England and Wales' church registers from the late 16th century onwards.

In terms of geographical distribution today, the Embry last name is most common in the United States, particularly prevalent in the South Central region, including states like Kentucky and Texas. As per census data, Kentucky has the highest concentration of individuals with the Embry surname. However, it is also found in smaller concentrations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Embry

The surname Embry is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is usually associated with English or Scottish heritage. The variation of this surname includes Emery, Emary, Embury, Emberey, Emberley, and Undery. These differences in spelling often occurred due to the phonetic spelling during medieval times when literacy was not widespread.

Emery is one of the most common forms of the surname, often used interchangeably with Embry. It is particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom, but can also be found in North America and parts of Europe.

Emary is less common and tends to be more prevalent in Scotland. Embury is often found in Northern Ireland.

In addition to these spelling variations, there are also other surnames of the same origin: Amory, Hembry, Umber, Amery, and Embery. It is also similar to and may be derived from the German surname Emmerich and the French surname Aimery.

Remember that the spelling of surnames may have evolved or been anglicized over time. For example, the surname could have been spelled differently in immigration or census records due to language barriers or transcription errors. Therefore, it is always a good idea to look for all potential spellings when researching genealogy.

Famous people with the name Embry

• Ethan Embry: An American actor whose work spans three decades in the film and television industry. He is popular for his roles in movies such as "Vegas Vacation," "Empire Records," and "Can't Hardly Wait."
• Richard Embry: A retired professional basketball player who has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
• Bettye Davis Embry: She was a National Board Certified children's psychotherapist and a state legislator from Alaska.
• Starlet Embry: A retired American professional basketball player.
• Jesse Embry: An American author known for her inspirational books.
• Jason Embry: A journalist who is currently the deputy opinion editor at the Austin American-Statesman.
• John Embry: A noted American jazz bassist and cellist.
• Clarence Wayne Embry Jr.: An American country musician, songwriter, and producer.
• Tom Embry: A former professional American football player.
• William Embry: A prominent American lawyer and judge.
• Channing Embry: An American politician, businessman, and real estate developer.
• Robert Embry: An American philanthropist, politician, and former mayor of Baltimore, Maryland. Remember these are individuals who have achieved notable recognition in their respective fields and the list does not necessarily include all persons with the Embry surname.

Other surnames

EmbreeEmbreyEmbriEmbrieEmbrin