Cherry

Origin and Meaning

Cherry is a surname of English origin derived from the Old English word "ċiriġe," meaning a person who either grew or sold cherries. The surname may have been originally used to denote someone who lived near a cherry tree or a cherry orchard.

Historical Significance

The surname Cherry has a long history in Britain and can be traced back to medieval times. It was commonly found in the southern counties of England, such as Kent and Sussex, where cherry orchards were prevalent.

Notable Bearers

  • Don Cherry (1934–2014): Canadian ice hockey commentator and former player, though not British, he became a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.

  • John Cherry (b. 1943): British film and television director known for his work on iconic British TV shows such as "Only Fools and Horses."

Modern Distribution

Today, the surname Cherry is found not only in the UK but also in other parts of the English-speaking world, particularly in countries with historical ties to Britain such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the UK, it remains a fairly common surname.

Variants

Variants of the surname Cherry include Cherrie, Cherrey, and Cherri.

There are approximately 6,513 people named Cherry in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,458th most common surname in Britain. Around 100 in a million people in Britain are named Cherry.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Amanda
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Laura
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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