Autrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Autreys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

• William Rex "Billy" Autrey (1933-2020), American football player who played for Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL)
• Scott Brian Autrey (b. 1953), American former professional motorcycle speedway rider, the first American rider to reach a speedway world final since Ernie Roccio in 1951
• Henry Edward Autrey (b. 1952), United States federal judge
• Herman Autrey (1904-1980), American jazz trumpeter
• Wesley Autrey (b. 1956), American New York construction worker who achieved international recognition after he saved Cameron Hollopeter, who had suffered a seizure and fallen onto the tracks, from being struck by a New York City subway train
• Autrey Nell Wiley (1901-1990), American literary critic and professor