Show ContentsEmilly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Emilly is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a leader or ruler. The surname Emilly originally derived from the Old English word Amalric which referred to someone who held great power. The surname Emilly was part of a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Emilly family

The surname Emilly was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where John de Emlay was listed in 1304. 1 Today Emley or Elmley is a parish, in the Upper and Lower divisions of the wapentake of Agbrigg in Yorkshire. 2

Early History of the Emilly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emilly research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1600, 1617, 1640, 1649, 1657 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Emilly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emilly 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 Emilly were recorded, including Emberley, Emerle, Emerly, Emberly, Emilly and others.

Early Notables of the Emilly family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emilly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Emilly 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 Emilly family emigrate to North America:

Emilly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Emilly who settled in Charleston in 1832


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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