EMERY
Emery is a surname of Anglo‑French origin that has been recorded in the British Isles since the mid‑12th century. Its roots lie in the Old Germanic personal name Amalric, composed of the elements amal (bravery, vigour) and ric (power, ruler). The meaning of the name – “work‑ruler” or “ruler of work” – suggests that the original bearer was an industrious individual or a person of authority in their occupation.
The Norman Conquest of 1066 introduced the name into England. It entered the English tongue through a wide variety of Old French forms such as Amalri, Amalric, Aumari, Aumaric, Amauri, Emaurri, Haimeri and Ymeri, all of which were Latinised to Amalricus in the Domesday Book of 1086. Subsequent variants appeared in English records, including Emery, Emory, Amery, Emary, Embery, Emeric, Imbery, Imery, Hemery and Hembry.
The earliest attested spelling of the family name is that of Roger Hemeri, dated 1182 in the “Cartulary of St. Mary’s, Clerkenwell”, London. Subsequent parish registers record Christening of Thomas Emery on 26 November 1561 at St. Augustine’s, Watling Street, and the marriage of John Emery with Mary Cowert on 16 January 1661 at All Hallows, London Wall.
These documents show that the surname was established in London by the 16th and 17th centuries, and it has since remained a recognised Christian surname within England. The occupational connotations of the name, together with its widespread use across the British Isles, indicate that bearers of the name were perceived as hardworking and, at times, as individuals of leadership or influence in their respective fields.
Overall, Emery is a surname with deep historical roots that reflect a confluence of Germanic personal naming traditions, Norman French influence, and English clerical record‑keeping. Its survival through centuries of social change attests to its enduring presence among English‑speaking families.
Typical given names associated with the Emery surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Angela
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Julie
- Linda
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Emery in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Emery are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 13,460 people named Emery in the UK. That makes it the 667th most common surname in Britain. Around 207 in a million people in Britain are named Emery.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Emery
- Gideon Emery - Actor
- Dick Emery - Comedian and character actor (1915 to 1983)
- Gareth Emery - Electronic dance music producer and DJ
- Ann Emery - Actress (1930 to 2016)
- Roxanne Emery - Musician
- Tania Emery - Actress
- Victor Emery - Physicist (1934 to 2002)
- Florence Beatrice Emery - Actress, author, musician, mystic (1860 to 1917)
- Paul Emery - Racecar driver (1916 to 1993)
- Peter Emery - Politician (1926 to 2004)
- Eleanor Emery - Diplomat (1918 to 2007)
- Steve Emery - Football player
- Polly Emery - Actress (1875 to 1)
- Tony Emery - Football player (1927 to 2005)
- Anthony Emery - Roman Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth (1918 to 1988)
- John Emery - (1915 to 2000)
- Kieren Emery - Rower
- Josh Emery - Football player
- Bill Emery - Welsh cricketer (1897 to 1962)
- Dennis Emery - Football player (1933 to 1986)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.