Show ContentsAwbray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Awbray family name to the British Isles. They 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 Awbray family

The surname Awbray 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 Awbray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Awbray 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 Awbray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Awbray Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Aubrey, Aubry, Aubrie, Aubery, Awbrey, Awbry and others.

Early Notables of the Awbray 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 Awbray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Awbray family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Awbray 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 Awbray 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.


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