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Show ContentsTerry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Terry family

The surname Terry was first found in Champagne, where this illustrious family was established in early times.

The members of this large family formed branches in other regions, as well. The branches Thierry du Boisorcant and de la Prévalaye were established in Brittany. The branch Thiry was established in Aunis, and the members of the branch Theriault settled in Burgundy.

Early History of the Terry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terry research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1514, 1669, 1696, 1714, 1720, 1739, 1763, 1772, 1780, 1795, 1805, 1812, 1813, 1816, 1856 and 1864 are included under the topic Early Terry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terry Spelling Variations

The many different spellings of French surnames can be partially explained by the use of local dialects and by the influence of other languages during the early development of the French language. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Terry is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Théry, Thery, Téry, Tery, Terry, Thérieau, Therieau, Térieau, Terieau, Terrieau, Thériau, Theriau, Tériau, Teriau, Terriau, Thériaud, Theriaud, Tériaud, Teriaud, Terriaud, Thériaut, Theriaut, Tériaut, Terriaut, Therriault and many more.

Early Notables of the Terry family

Notable amongst the family during this period was Jean Thierry (1669-1739), a sculptor; Thiriot (1696-1772), who, in 1714, was a clerk with Voltaire for the same public prosecutor; Nicolas-Joseph Thiery de Menonville (1739-1780), a botanist; Jacques-Nicolas-Augustin Thierry (1795-1856), a historian; Amédée-Simon-Dominique Thierry. a historian and senator, the brother of the former; Joseph-François-Désiré Thierry, a painter, who was born in 1812 in Paris and received...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Terry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Terry is the 265th most popular surname with an estimated 99,480 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Terry is ranked the 994th most popular surname with an estimated 3,972 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Terry is the 770th popular surname with an estimated 948 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Terry as 600th with 10,925 people. 4

United States Terry migration to the United States +

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Terry has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Terry were

Terry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Stephen Terry and Jane Hardey Terry, who settled in New England in 1630, aboard the "Mary & John"
  • Anto Terry, aged 50, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas & John" 5
  • Giles Terry, aged 33, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas & John" 5
  • Jo Terry, aged 32, British settler who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Abigail" 5
  • Richard Terry, aged 17, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Terry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Terry, who arrived in Georgia in 1733 5
  • John Terry, who arrived in Georgia in 1742 5
Terry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Terry, aged 25, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 5
  • George Terry, aged 48, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 5
  • J Terry, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 5
  • H Terry, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
  • T Terry, aged 25, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1859 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Terry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Terry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • James Terry, who settled in Newfoundland in 1706 6
  • David Terry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Thomas Terry, who settled in Harbour Grace Newfoundland in 1760 6
  • Mr. Paul Terry U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7
  • Mr. Paul Terry Sr.,U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Terry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Charles Terry, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1827
  • Benjamin Terry, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Mary Terry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1832
  • David Terry, who arrived in Canada in 1841
  • Mary Terry, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1843
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Terry migration to Australia +

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

Terry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Terry, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
  • Mr. Joseph Terry, English convict who was convicted in Chelsea, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Mr. John Terry, English convict who was convicted in Chatham, Kent, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Miss Ann Terry, (b. 1816), aged 15, English nursery maid who was convicted in Evesham, Worcestershire, England for 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 31st December 1831, arriving in New South Wales 11
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Terry, (b. 1783), aged 48, English servant who was convicted in Evesham, Worcestershire, England for 7 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 31st December 1831, arriving in New South Wales 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Terry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Terry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Terry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Norman Morrison" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand, Via Wellington and Lyttleton in 1854 12
  • J. Terry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Northfleet" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand, Via Wellington and Lyttleton in February 1854 12
  • Miss Susan Terry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tamar" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th January 1858 13
  • Mr. Henry Terry, (b. 1825), aged 33, English agricultrual labourer from Kent travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 13
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Terry, (b. 1834), aged 24, English settler from Kent travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Terry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14
Terry Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Bassell Terry, aged 22, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Terry (post 1700) +

  • Megan Terry (1932-2023), born Marguerite Duffy, an American Obie Award winning playwright, screenwriter, and theatre artist, founding member of The Open Theater, awarded Dramatists Guild Award (1983) and College of Fellows of the American Theatre (1994)
  • Ralph Willard Terry (1936-2022), American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for four teams from 1956 to 1967, most notably the New York Yankees
  • Wallace Houston Terry (1938-2003), American journalist and oral historian
  • Captain Seymour W Terry (1918-1945), American Army officer awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945
  • Charles L Terry Jr. (1900-1970), American politician, attorney, judge, and Governor of Delaware from 1965 to 1969
  • Albert Edward Terry (1934-2024), also known by the nickname of "Abe", was an English professional rugby league player
  • Sir Richard Runicman Terry (1865-1938), British first organist of Westminster Cathedral
  • Luther Leonidas Terry (1911-1985), US Surgeon General (1961 to 1965)
  • Mr. Jonathan Mark Terry M.B.E., British Founder and Adviser for The Cystinosis Foundation UK, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to People with Cystinosis and to their Families 15
  • Daniel Terry (1780-1829), English actor and playwright, born in Bath
  • ... (Another 12 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. John Terry (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
HMS Cornwall
  • Albert Edgar George Terry, British Supply Chief Petty Officer aboard the HMS Cornwall (1942) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 17
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Gordon V Terry (b. 1922), English Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from Marske, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Hunter Terry, British Lieutenant Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Benjamin J Terry, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20
HMS Royal Oak
  • Philip Terry, British Chief Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
  • Anthony H. Terry, British Lieutenant with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
North Sea Flood
  • Reginald Norman Terry, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
  • Gladys Mabel Terry, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Suggested Readings for the name Terry +

  • All About Terrys: A Genealogy of the Surname Terry by Paul Terry Thompson.
  • The Story of a Family by Henry Vernon Hall.
  • Terry and Allied Families of Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas by Frances Terry Ingmire.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  7. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  12. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  15. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  16. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  17. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  18. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  19. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  20. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  21. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
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