Gentrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Gentrey family

The surname Gentrey was first found in Hampshire, where they held a family seat since the Norman invasion of 1066. The name Gentrey comes from the Old French word "gent," meaning "well-born" or "noble." 1 2

It could be a literal name, referring to someone who actually was well-born, or it may have been an ironic nickname, for someone who put on airs of aristocracy.

One of the oldest records of the family was found in Winmarleigh, a township in Lancashire with one of the older spellings used by the family. "In the reign of Henry III. lived a Gregory de Winnerlie or de Wimerlegh. In the 17th of Edward III., [(17th year of Edward III's reign)]Robert de Plesyngton received a fine from Thomas le Gentyll and his wife and son, for a moiety of the manor of Wynmerles." 3

Other early record of the family were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: William le Gentil in Yorkshire and Robert le Gentill, or Gentyl in Wiltshire. 1 John le Gentyl, was listed in Somerset during the first year of Edward III's reign 4 and in the 4th year of Edward II's reign William le Gentil was listed on the Patent Roll. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Agnes Gentildoghter and Johannes Gentill. 1

Early History of the Gentrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gentrey research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1202 and 1242 are included under the topic Early Gentrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gentrey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Gentrey are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Gentrey include Gentle, Gentles, Gentile, Jentle, Gentry and others.

Early Notables of the Gentrey family

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

Migration of the Gentrey family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Gentrey, or a variant listed above: Jean Gentil, who came to Louisiana in 1719; at the tender age of 19; as well as Jacques Gentil, who arrived in Louisiana a year later. Many others were to follow, including Andrew Gentle, who arrived in New York in 1812 and Elizabeth Gentry, who arrived in New York in 1862.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.