Show ContentsVerry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Verry family

The surname Verry was first found in Norfolk where "Osberno Verrer" witnesses a grant of the younger William de Albini, Earl of Arundel, of some land at Quiddenham in Norfolk to Reading Abbey; and about 1272 Robert and Roger le Verer, of Essex, occur in the Rotuli Hundredorum. Walkeline le Werreer gave the advowson of the church of Winfrith (afterwards Winfrith-Newburgh) to Glastonbury Abbey, between 1102 and 1120; which grant was confirmed by his nephew, William de Glastonia, and afterwards by Robert de Newburgh, who describes the two preceding benefactors as his "ancestors." 1

"Hamonis Verrarii " was one of the benefactors of St. Alban's Abbey that are alluded to in King John's confirmation charter. A family of the name long existed at Sandwich in Kent, where, within the altar rails of St. Mary's Church, and at the west end of the nave, "are memorials of many of the family of Verrier, of this town." 1

Early History of the Verry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Verry research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1455, 1487, 1603, 1664 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Verry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Verry Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Verry were recorded, including Verrer, Verrier, Verriour, Veryet, Verieur, Verry and many more.

Early Notables of the Verry family

Distinguished members of the family include William Verrier, Mayor of Sandwich in 1664; and John Verrier one of the Cinque Port Barons elected to support the Royal Canopy at James II.'s coronation in 1685. The dress of...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Verry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Verry Ranking

In France, the name Verry is the 9,384th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 2


United States Verry migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Verry family emigrate to North America:

Verry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Isaac Verry, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1700 3
  • Pierre Verry, who arrived in New York in 1795 3
Verry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Verry went to Indiana between 1840 and 1844
  • Elizabeth Verry, who was 55 when she landed in New York in 1864
  • Emily Verry, who was 19 when she landed in New York in 1864
  • Elizth Verry, aged 55, who arrived in New York in 1864 3
  • Emily Verry, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1864 3

New Zealand Verry 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:

Verry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Verry, aged 40, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifford" in 1842
  • Mary Verry, aged 45, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifford" in 1842
  • Charles Verry, aged 20, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifford" in 1842
  • John Verry, aged 18, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifford" in 1842
  • Mary Ann Verry, aged 12, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifford" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Verry (post 1700) +

  • George F. Verry (1826-1883), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts, 1872; Defeated, 1872 (Citizens), 1875; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1876 4
  • Ross Verry (b. 1964), former New Zealand cricketer


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook