Show ContentsAppelberry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Appelberry was a habitation surname, formed from any of various places so named in England and Scotland. Appleby is derived from the old Norse "apall," or "apple" combined with "byr," meaning "farm."

Early Origins of the Appelberry family

The surname AppelBerry was first found in Westmorland at the manor of Appleby from about the year 1250, which later became the county town of Appleby-in Westmorland. This town was frequently sacked and plundered and was a favorite target of raids north of the border. By example: "It retained its importance from the time of the Romans until the year 1176, when William, King of Scotland, surprised the castle, and destroyed the town; from which calamity, however, it had so far recovered in the reign of Henry III., that a court of exchequer was established here." 1 There are other parishes named Appebly in Derbyshire, Cumbria and Lincolnshire. Literally, the place name means "farmstead or village where apple-trees grow," from the Old English words "aeppel" + the Viking word "by." 2

Early History of the Appelberry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Appelberry research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1300 and 1617 are included under the topic Early Appelberry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appelberry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Appleby, Applebie, Appilby, Appilbie, Appeley, Applebee and many more.

Early Notables of the Appelberry family

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

Migration of the AppelBerry family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Apleby, who came to Virginia in 1623; Thomas Applebury, who came to Long Island in 1651; John Appleby, who settled in Virginia in 1652; William Appleby, who came to Virginia in 1645.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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