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Imrie History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Imrie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The distinguished surname Imrie emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Imrie is derived from the Old French names Amauri and Emaurri. These are derived from the Old German name Amalric, which literally means work-rule. 1

Early Origins of the Imrie family

The surname Imrie was first found in Perthshire where "the first of the name recorded in Scotland appears to have been Emeric, a Lombard or Flanders, who was spoiled by John Crabbe of Berwick in 1329, and indemnified by the chamberlain." 1

The brisk winds of time have dusted off some rather interesting entries about the Imrie family. Spellings of the name were very different over the ages. "The escheat and forfeiture of Ade Emry, burgess of Dunblane, is recorded in 1424. Walter Ymery and Thomas Ymery were tenants of Conlony alias Condland in 1513, and James Immune in Dunfermline, 1563, appears also as Immerri (1567) and Immerrie (1569)." 1

Early History of the Imrie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Imrie research. Another 258 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1269, 1278, 1329, 1513, 1547, 1548, 1579, 1602, 1611, 1618, 1633, 1669, 1672, 1688, 1689, 1697, 1787, 1820, 1871, 1882, 1884, 1886 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Imrie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Imrie Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Imrie, Imray, Imre, Imbrie and others.

Early Notables of the Imrie family

Prominent in the family at this time was John Imray (1820-1902), Scottish co-founder of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents in 1882, and served as President of the Institute from 1884 to 1886. He was the son of a Scottish Minister (Reverend John Ross Imray of Longside, Aberdeenshire) and was born at Peterhead on 12...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Imrie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Imrie migration to the United States +

In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Imrie

Imrie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Imrie, who landed in New York, NY in 1833 2

Imrie migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Imrie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Imrie, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
Mr. Andrew Imrie, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 4

Imrie migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Imrie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J J Imrie, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1840
J. Imrie, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clydeside" in 1841
J Imrie, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Clydeside
William Imrie, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ionic" in 1884
Alexander Imrie, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ionic" in 1884

Contemporary Notables of the name Imrie (post 1700) +

Celia Imrie (b. 1952), English Screen Actors Guild Award nominated actress, known for her roles in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace (1999) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004
William Imrie (1836-1906), English owner of the White Star Line shipping line, once known as “the Prince of Shipowners”
Thomas "Red" Imrie (b. 1937), retired Scottish ice hockey defenceman, inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987
Kathryn Christine Imrie (b. 1967), born Kathryn Marshall, a Scottish LPGA professional golfer
Douglas "Dougie" Imrie (b. 1983), Scottish footballer
Amy Elizabeth Imrie (1870-1944), née Pollard, a British heiress, one of the wealthiest women in Britain who at the age of 37 became a Roman Catholic nun
Dr. Kevin Imrie, Canadian President of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (2015)
Kirsten Imrie (b. 1967), British glamour model and television presenter

The Imrie 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: Evertendo fecundat
Motto Translation: It renders fruitful by turning over.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-gray
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 4th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian