Show ContentsAttree History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Attree family

The surname Attree was first found in Cambridgeshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The family name was first referenced in the year 1272 when Thomas Attree held estates in that shire. But many of the family were also found in Sussex. The name is derived from the expression "At-the-Tree." 1

Early History of the Attree family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Attree research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Attree History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Attree Spelling Variations

Attree has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Attree, Attry, Attrie, Attry, Atree, Atry, Atrye, Attrye, Hattry, Hatry and many more.

Early Notables of the Attree family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • the Attree of Cambridge


United States Attree migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Attrees to arrive on North American shores:

Attree Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Fannie Attree, aged 27, originally from London, who arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Saint Paul" from Southampton, England 2
  • Isabella Attree, aged 38, originally from England, who arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Southampton, England 2
  • Mabel Attree, aged 11, originally from England, who arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Southampton, England 2
  • Alfred E. Attree, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1918 aboard the ship "Khiva" from Plymouth London 2
  • Sidney Attree, aged 20, originally from Dartford, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Menominee" from Tilbury Docks, London, England 2

Australia Attree migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Attree Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Attree, English butcher who was convicted in Newington, London, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eden" on 12th March 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island), he died in 1843 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Attree (post 1700) +

  • Richard Attree, British television and film composer
  • Michael "Atters" Attree (b. 1965), British humorist and performer


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th December 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden


Houseofnames.com on Facebook