Show ContentsAubray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Aubray was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Aubray family lived in Brecknock, Wales, where Sir Reginald Aubrey was granted lands in 1088. The name is topographic in origin and indicates that its original bearer once lived in a place planted with elder trees. The name also may be derived from a batismal name meaning "the son of Aubrey." In this case, the name would have been Albreda in the feminine form and Aubrey in the masculine form.

Early Origins of the Aubray family

The surname Aubray was first found in Brecknock in Wales where Sir Reginald Aubrey was granted lands in 1189. According to historians the first records was of "Saint Aubrey of the blood royal of France".

Early History of the Aubray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aubray research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1273, 1379, 1500, 1529, 1553, 1559, 1595, 1606, 1626, 1650, 1679, 1680, 1685, 1697, 1698, 1700 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Aubray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aubray Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Aubrey, Aubry, Aubrie, Aubery, Awbrey, Awbry and others.

Early Notables of the Aubray family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Reginald Aubrey; William Aubrey (ca. 1529-1595), Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford from 1553 to 1559, one of the founding Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford; Sir John Aubrey, 1st Baronet of Llantrithead in the County of Glamorgan (c. 1606-1679); Sir John...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aubray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Aubray family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Aubray or a variant listed above: Andrew Aubrey who purchased land in Virginia in 1714; and by the mid-1800's the Aubrey family occupied territory in North Carolina, and Maryland. F.O. Aubrey settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1853.



The Aubray Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Solem fero
Motto Translation: I bear the sun.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook