Quarry

Quarry is an Anglo-Saxon surname which originated from the Old English word "quarrie", meaning a person who worked in a quarry. The surname would have originally been applied to individuals who worked in or owned quarries, where stone, slate, or other materials were extracted for building and construction purposes.

The distribution of the surname Quarry in the United Kingdom is primarily found in areas with a historical association with quarrying activities such as Cornwall, Devon, and Yorkshire. The surname is relatively rare, with only a limited number of occurrences recorded in historical records.

Individuals bearing the surname Quarry have likely been involved in the trade of quarrying, stonemasonry, or related professions throughout history. It is also possible that some bearers of the surname took on the name due to the location of their residence being near a quarry.

Like many British surnames, the origin of Quarry dates back to medieval times when surnames were first adopted to distinguish individuals within a community. Over time, the surname has been passed down through generations, contributing to the diverse tapestry of British family names.

Although the surname Quarry may have varied spellings and derivatives due to historical changes in language and dialects, its origins are rooted in the practical and essential industry of quarrying, reflecting the importance of skilled workers in the development of British infrastructure and architecture.

There are approximately 309 people named Quarry in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Quarry.

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
  • Colin
  • David
  • Jason
  • John
  • Lionel
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Piers
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Alice
  • Annette
  • Cheryl
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Geraldine
  • Joan
  • Lucy
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Rachael
  • Wendy

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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