Show ContentsEmma History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Emma is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the baptismal name for the son of Emma. "Emma (d. 1052), called Ælfgifu, queen, the daughter of Richard the Fearless, Duke of the Normans, by Gunnor, and legitimated by the duke's subsequent marriage with her mother. She was married to King Ethelred or Æthelred the Unready in 1002. This marriage prepared the way for the future conquest of England by the Normans, and was held to give the Conqueror some right to the crown. " 1

Early Origins of the Emma family

The surname Emma was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Emma family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emma research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emma History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emma 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. Emma has been spelled many different ways, including Eman, Emmon, Emmond, Emmons, Emmonts, Emon, Emond, Emonds, Emonts and many more.

Early Notables of the Emma family

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

Migration of the Emma family

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 Emmas to arrive in North America: Sarah Eman who settled in Edgar Town Massachusetts in 1820; Anne Emonds settled in Virginia in 1638; David Emon settled in New England in 1775; William Emonts settled in Philadelphia in 1875.


Contemporary Notables of the name Emma (post 1700) +

  • Frank A. Emma (b. 1899), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly, 1941-46; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 35th District, 1946 2
  • Hayley Emma Raso (b. 1994), Australian soccer player, who plays as a winger for Manchester City in the in the FA Women's Super League and the Australian national team
  • Ms. Rebecca Emma Bell M.B.E., British recipient of Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to British foreign policy and to the Commonwealth 3
  • Mrs. Beverley Emma Dean M.B.E., British Founder for Special iApps, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Exports in Educational Technology for People with Learning Disabilities 4
  • Mrs. Tamsin Emma Parlour M.B.E. (b. 1970), British Co-founder and Joint Chief Executive Officer for Women’s Sport Trust, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Gender Equality in Sport 4
  • Elizabeth Emma Soyer (1813-1842), née Jones, English painter, born in London, wife of Alexis Benoît Soyer
  • Mary Emma Woolley (1863-1947), American educator, peace activist and women's suffrage supporter, 11th President of Mount Holyoke College from 1900 to 1937
  • Lizette Emma Orth (1858-1913), American musician and composer from New England
  • Georgiana Emma Drew (1856-1893), also known as Georgie Drew Barrymore, an American stage actress
  • Stephanie Emma Forrester (b. 1969), British gold medalist triathlete at the 2000 ITU Duathlon World Championships


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
  4. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


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