Terry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


The surname Terry is a ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Norman personal name Therry, which in turn comes from the Germanic Theodoric. 1 Edward the Confessor (c.1004-1066) employed a German goldsmith named Theoderic for some of his coinage design; so it is certainly possible that the name in Britain predates the coming of the Normans.

Early Origins of the Terry family

The surname Terry was first found in Kent where Thierry, son of Deorman of London was granted lands by Gilbert, Earl of Pembroke between 1138 and 1149. Thierry continued to be an under tenant of Richard FitzGilbert of Clare.

Some of the first listings of the name were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, specifically: Terry (without surname) in Yorkshire; Richard Terry in Huntingdonshire; Terricus le Alemaunde in Buckinghamshire; and Geoffrey Terri in Oxfordshire. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls had two listings: Johannes Tyrry; and Petrus Terre. "Terry is a name now also represented in Buckinghamshire and the West Riding [of Yorkshire]; and it is remarkable that, as far back as the reign of Edward I., it occurred still in Yorkshire, and also in the counties adjacent to Buckinghanshire, namely those of Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Huntingdonshire. In Elizabeth's time the Terrys held the manors of Bicknor and Swanton Court; and in the same reign there lived a family of yeomen of the name in Herne, and in the time of Charles I." 3

Early History of the Terry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terry research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1190, 1555, 1590, 1615, 1616, 1625 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Terry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terry Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Terry family name include Terry, Terrie and others.

Early Notables of the Terry family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Terry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Terry is the 265th most popular surname with an estimated 99,480 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Terry is ranked the 994th most popular surname with an estimated 3,972 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Terry is the 770th popular surname with an estimated 948 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Terry as 600th with 10,925 people. 7

Migration of the Terry family to Ireland

Some of the Terry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Terry migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Terry family to immigrate North America:

Terry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Terry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Terry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Terry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Terry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Terry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Terry migration to Australia +

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

Terry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Terry 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:

Terry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Terry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Terry Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Terry (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Terry +
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