Show ContentsMabry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Mabry was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mabry family lived in Cheshire, at the manor of Marbury, from whence they took their name. However, we must look to Normandy to find the first record of the family. It was there that "Nicholas Merbury, Butler of the King, Normandy" [1] was found 1180-1195.

Alternatively, the family could have descended from Marlborough, a borough and market-town, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Selkley in Wiltshire.

"The name, anciently written Marleberg, or Marlbridge, is supposed to be derived from the marl, or chalk, hills by which the town is surrounded. At the time of the Norman survey [(1086]), Marlborough had a church, and was held in royal demesne; soon after, a castle was erected, which seems to have been the cause of the subsequent enlargement of the town. In the time of Richard I., and during his imprisonment in Austria, his brother John took possession of this fortress; but Richard, on his return from captivity, seized it, with all the other possessions belonging to his brother, and on their reconciliation he still retained the castle of Marlborough in his own hands. " [2] In this case, the first on record was Alured de Merleberge who held lands here at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086. [1]

Early Origins of the Mabry family

The surname Mabry was first found in Cheshire at Marbury, a township, in the parish of Great Budworth, union of Northwich, hundred of Bucklow. [2] [3]

The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Merberie and was held by William Malbank, who held them from Earl Harold. [4] Literally, it means "fortified place near a lake," from the Old English words "mere" + "burh." [5]

One of the first records of the family in England was Thomas of Marlborough (died 1236), a medieval English monk and writer, Abbot of Evesham Abbey in 1230.

A few years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John de Marleberge as holding lands in Oxfordshire at that time. [3]

Early History of the Mabry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mabry research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1404, 1414, 1425, 1456, 1528, 1555, 1610, 1611, 1626 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mabry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mabry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Mabry have been found, including Marbury, Marburie, Marberrie, MarBerry, Merbury, Marburry, Marburrie, Marbery, Marberie and many more.

Early Notables of the Mabry family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Merbury of Lyonshall and Weobley, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1404 and 1425; John Merbury of Lyonshall and Weobley, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1414; Sir Laurence Murberry, High Sheriff of...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mabry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mabry Ranking

In the United States, the name Mabry is the 2,245th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. [6]

Ireland Migration of the Mabry family to Ireland

Some of the Mabry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Mabry migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Mabry were among those contributors:

Mabry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Kettie E. Mabry, aged 42, who immigrated to America, in 1906
  • W.L. Mabry, aged 56, who landed in America, in 1906
  • Wm. D. Mabry, aged 49, who settled in America, in 1906
  • Nettie E. Mabry, aged 46, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
  • Alton Mabry, who landed in America, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mabry (post 1700) +

  • John Porter Mabry Jr. (b. 1969), American Texas politician
  • Nathan Mabry (b. 1978), American artist based in Los Angeles
  • Mike Mabry (b. 1980), American football center
  • Thomas Jewett Mabry (1884-1962), American politician and judge
  • Jim Mabry (b. 1966), American football player
  • Moss Mabry (1918-2006), famed American Costume designer
  • Edward Mabry (b. 1897), American author, poet, and chemical tycoon
  • Dale Mabry (1891-1922), American World War I aviator
  • Joseph Alexander Mabry Jr. (1826-1882), American folk figure and businessman
  • Lynn Mabry, American vocalist
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Mabry +

  • Yesterday: the Hampton, McCracken, Longwith, Mabry & Wells Families by Diana L. Mellen.

  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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