Empy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

In ancient Anglo Saxon England, the Empy family lived in the area that was referred to as Impey in the county of Essex. This place-name was originally derived from the Old English word "imphaga" which denoted "an enclosure that housed young trees." In this case the original bearers most likely lived near an area where there were young trees or saplings. 1

Early Origins of the Empy family

The surname Empy was first found in Sussex where John atte Imphage was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. The same ancient English rolls also listed John de Impey in Suffolk. 1

"This name is or has been numerous in Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and Essex, in which last county stands Impey Hall." 2

Early History of the Empy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Empy research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Empy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Empy Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Empy family name include Impey, Impy, Impie and others.

Early Notables of the Empy family

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

Migration of the Empy family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Empy surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Thomas Impey, who settled in the state of Maryland in 1740 with his wife, Alice.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.