Show ContentsHembree History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the name Hembree are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the Old French personal names Amauri and Emaurri. These are derived from the Old German personal name Amalric, which literally means work-rule.

Early Origins of the Hembree family

The surname Hembree was first found in Devon at Broadhembury which is also known as Hembury, a parish and former market-town in the union of Honiton. 1 Hembury is also the name of a Neolithic causewayed enclosure and Iron Age hill fort near Honiton in Devon and is thought to date back from the late fifth and early fourth century BC. Hembury Castle is an Iron Age Hill fort near Tythecott, south of Buckland Brewer. Some researchers believe that the name is related to the name Embury, but this is not the case as this name is a distinct Devon name whereas Embury hails from Somerset. 2 3

Early History of the Hembree family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hembree research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1377 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Hembree History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hembree Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hembree has been spelled many different ways, including Hembery, Hembry, Hembrow, Hembrough, Hemborough, Hembury, Hembergh, Hembro, Hembray, Hembree and many more.

Early Notables of the Hembree family

More information is included under the topic Early Hembree Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hembree Ranking

In the United States, the name Hembree is the 4,602nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4


United States Hembree migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hembrees to arrive in North America:

Hembree Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Hembree, who settled in San Francisco in 1850
Hembree Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Joel R. Hembree, aged 19, who immigrated to South Bend, Washington, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Hembree (post 1700) +

  • Tom B. Hembree, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Missouri 6th District, 1946
  • Geraldeen Hembree, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1964
  • Charles H. Hembree, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1948
  • Richard Heath Hembree (b. 1989), American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
  • Absalom Jefferson Hembree (1813-1856), American soldier and politician, Member of the Oregon Territorial Legislature (1849, 1851 and 1854)
  • Bill Hembree, American Republican State Representative in Georgia


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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