Surname Obry - Meaning and Origin

Obry: What does the surname Obry mean?

The last name Obry is of French origin, and is derived from the ancient personal name Aubri, which itself is an old French version of the Latin name Albericus. The name was commonly given to children born on the 1st of February, an important religious holiday in France. This holiday was a celebration of St. Aubri, a seventh century French saint known for his miraculous healing powers.

The name Obry has since become part of many regional variations, and is now commonly found in the forms O'Brien, O'Bray, O'Brey, O'Briant, and O'Brenn. In many cases, the spelling of the last name has been altered or simplified to include fewer letters. For example, the French variant Obry has become “Obrye” or “Obryen” in England. It is also possible for a variant of the syllable Bry to be assumed after the initial letter O, making it easy for a family to adopt a single formal last name.

Throughout history, the name Obry has been connected with a wide range of professions and titles. Notable individuals bearing the name include the French physician and botanist Pierre Antoine Obry who, in 1727, successfully bred a strain of tobacco resistant to cold weather. His work led to the large-scale production of tobacco for export from France. Furthermore, the last name Obry can also be seen in the French language, appearing in novels such as “Monsieur Obry,” a 1802 story by Ambroise Ray.

Today, the last name Obry is common in many countries and cultures. It is a testament to its history and its French roots, and serves as a reminder of those who have returned to their origins.

Obry: Where does the name Obry come from?

The last name Obry is most common in France today, with the highest occurrence in rural areas around the capital, Paris. It is believed to be of Norman French origin and is thought to derive from either an old French word for an enclosure, or the Old Norse word for drop.

In the 19th century, Obry was also fairly common in the United States, particularly among French-American families, or those of French-Canadian origin. Today however, it is more likely to be found in France and European countries with French influence and ties.

The last name Obry is most often found as a middle name and is particularly popular in the southern region of France, as well as the suburbs of Paris and in the Basque region. It is also fairly popular among French Canadians, particularly in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.

The occurrence of the last name diminishes in French-influenced regions outside of France. It is also rare in many English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. When it is found it is largely within a French Canadian or European descent population.

Variations of the surname Obry

The surname Obry is of French origin, and has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of the Obry surname is O'Bry (or O'Bri). This variant was derived from a patronymic form of the Old Irish personal name Brian. The name Brian is derived from the Old Irish word for "high" or "noble".

Other French variants of the surname include Aubry, Abri, Aubret, Aubriot, Obriot, Oubriot, and Aubriac. The suffix -et was sometimes also used to form derivatives of the surname, such as Aubret and Aubriot.

In England, the surname Aubry was used instead of O'Bry or Obry. The -et and -ot spellings were also used in England, leading to variants such as Aubret and Aubriot.

In Scotland, the spelling of the surname Obry was often changed to Bry. This was in part due to a shift in the pronunciation of the surname over time.

In Northern Europe, the surname Obry was spelled Obre. This variant is more commonly seen in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

In the Americas, the surname Obry was commonly spelled as Obree. This variant is commonly seen in the United States and Canada.

In summary, Obry is the French origin of the surnames O'Bry, O'Bri, Aubry, Abri, Aubret, Aubriot, Obriot, Oubriot, Aubriac, Bry, Obre, and Obree.

Famous people with the name Obry

• Matt O'Bry: Professional MMA fighter who has fought for promotions such as Bellator, Cage Fury Fighting Championships, and Legacy Fighting Alliance.
• Phil O'Bry: American Juvenile Justice expert and author whose books include Serving Teens out of Place, Out of Place Out of Time and Serving Youth in Juvenile Justice.
• Brooke O'Bry: Professional dancer and choreographer who has been featured in television shows Glee, Step Up, and So You Think You Can Dance.
• Frank O'Bry: Former President of Zellerbach Paper Company and member of the San Francisco Jazz and Musical Arts Society.
• Rich O'Bry: American singer-songwriter who has released multiple independent albums throughout his career.
• Jesse O'Bry: Music industry entrepreneur who has gained recognition as the founder and Vice President of The Wippit Corporation.
• Samantha O'Bry: Canadian actress and singer known for her lead roles in the films 9: An LGBT Superhero Story and The Truth About Heroin.
• Ryan O'Bry: American film and television actor best known for his roles in Snatched, Breaking up with Jack and TV series Flex & Shanice.
• Jeremy O'Bry: Former professional basketball player who played for teams all around the world such as the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
• Catherine O'Bry: Food stylist, photographer, and author of the cookbook The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen.

Other surnames

ObregonObrienObrist