Alfrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the name Alfrey are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the Old English personal name Alvred. This name was popular in England because of the fame of Alfred the Great (849-899), who was the Anglo-Saxon King of Wessex.

Early Origins of the Alfrey family

The surname Alfrey was first found in Worcestershire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Alfrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alfrey research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1296, 1317, 1379, 1666 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Alfrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alfrey 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. Alfrey has been spelled many different ways, including Alfray, Alfraye, Alfrey, Aufrey, Aufray, Alphrey, Alphray, Alferry, Allfree and many more.

Early Notables of the Alfrey family

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

Alfrey migration to Canada +

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 Alfreys to arrive in North America:

Alfrey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

M. Alfrey, who was recorded in Essex County, Ontario in 1883

Alfrey 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:

Alfrey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Cordelia Alfrey, (b. 1870), aged 3 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 1
Miss Rosa Alfrey, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 1
Mr. Alfred Alfrey, (b. 1840), aged 30, British coach joiner travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 1
Mrs. Elizabeth Alfrey, (b. 1840), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 1
Miss Alice Alfrey, (b. 1868), aged 2, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Monarch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html