Show ContentsAvery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the name Avery are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the given name Averary. For example, the first recorded instance of the name is Rogerus filius Averary. His name means Rogerus son of Averary. Over time, the name changed until it achieved its modern form.

One distinguished source notes: "This is a name which may claim its origin with nearly equal probability from several distinct sources, which I shall briefly enumerate. I. Aviarim, a keeper of the birds. The Forest Charter (s. 14,) enacts that freemen may have in their woods "avyries of sparhawkes, falcons, eagles, and herons." II. A very, the place where forage for the king's horses was kept; either from the Latin avena, Anglo-Norman haver, oats, or from aver, a northern provincialism for a working horse. III. Alberic, a German personal name, Latinized Albericus, and softened in Norman times to Aubrey. " [1]

Early Origins of the Avery family

The surname Avery was first found in the county of Northumberland where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Rogerus filius Averary resided in the year 1166, and held manors and estates. [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two entries of the family with very early spellings: Hugh filius Auveray, Nottinghamshire; and Ralph Averey, Oxfordshire. [3]

One branch of the family was found in Egginton, Derbyshire from ancient times. "The church [of Egginton], an ancient structure with a nave, chancel, aisles, and a neat low tower, contains several monuments to the Every family, and has some remains of stained glass." [4]

Further down in the parish of Lansallos, Cornwall, another branch of the family was found. "The manor of Tregavithick was purchased of the Avery family in 1751, by the Rev. Joshua Howell, father of the Rev. J. F. Howell, one of the canons residentiary of Exeter, the present proprietor." [5] There is no mention of how long the Avery family held the manor.

Early History of the Avery family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Avery research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1526, 1548, 1588, 1596, 1620, 1643, 1653, 1654, 1664, 1679, 1690, 1696, 1700, 1766, 1775, 1794, 1799, 1800, 1804, 1808 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Avery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Avery Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Avery has been spelled many different ways, including Avery, Averie, Avary, Every, MacAvera and others.

Early Notables of the Avery family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Richard Avery; Samuel Avery (died 1664) was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654; John Every (c 1643-1679), an English landowner and politician from Dorset wh...
  • Henry Every, also Avery or Avary, (c. 1653-after 1696), sometimes given as John Avery, was an English pirate who operated in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the mid-1690s, one of the few major pirat...

Avery World Ranking

In the United States, the name Avery is the 775th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. [6] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Avery is ranked the 331st most popular surname with an estimated 138 people with that name. [7] And in Australia, the name Avery is the 932nd popular surname with an estimated 4,237 people with that name. [8] New Zealand ranks Avery as 731st with 984 people. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Avery family to Ireland

Some of the Avery family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Avery migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Averys to arrive in North America:

Avery Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Christopher Avery (born England, died 12 March 1670), who settled in America in 1630 aboard the Arbella as part of the Winthrop Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Avery, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John" [10]
  • Jacob and George Avery who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Christopher Avery, who settled in Gloucester Massachusetts in 1640, moved to Boston, thence to New London, Conn
Avery Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Waightstill Avery (1741-1821), lawyer, Revolutionary War hero, first attorney general of North Carolina, and eponym of Avery County, North Carolina

Canada Avery migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Avery Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Avery, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Eastern District, Upper Canada c. 1783 [11]
  • Mr. William Avery, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Canada c. 1783 [11]

Australia Avery migration to Australia +

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

Avery Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Avery Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Avery, British convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 [13]
  • Mr. Albert James Avery, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. Joseph Avery, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [15]
  • John Avery, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Robert Avery, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Avery 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:

Avery Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Avery, aged 37, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Elizabeth Avery, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Harriet Avery, aged 18, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • George Avery, aged 16, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Charles Avery, aged 14, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Avery 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. [18]
Avery Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Avery, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 [19]
  • Mr. John Avery, aged 22 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 [20]

Contemporary Notables of the name Avery (post 1700) +

  • John Scales Avery (1933-2024), American theoretical chemist noted for his research publications in quantum chemistry
  • Ellis Avery (1972-2019), American writer who won two Stonewall Book Awards
  • James Avery (1922-2018), American jeweler, founder of James Avery Jewelry in 1954, now with over 270 locations
  • Brigadier-General Ray Longfellow Avery (1884-1965), American Commanding Officer, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland (1939-1946) [21]
  • Oswald Theodore Avery (1877-1955), American (Canadian-born) bacteriologist, who helped discover the importance of DNA
  • John Avery (1824-1914), American physician and politician from Michigan
  • Charles Avery (1873-1926), American actor, director, and screenwriter
  • James Avery (1825-1898), Union Navy seaman and recipient of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War
  • Tex Avery (1908-1980), American animator and director; creator of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
  • Milton Avery (1885-1965), American painter whose works specialize in American Modernism
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMAS Sydney II
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Albert G Avery (b. 1919), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Hove, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [23]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Donald Avery, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [24]
  • Mr. George T Avery, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [24]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. James Albert Avery (1891-1915), aged 22, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 15 [25]


Suggested Readings for the name Avery +

  • A Family History, Gray-Avery and Related Families by Lewis and Ruby Gray.
  • The Groton Averys, Christopher and James by Elroy M. Avery.

  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Ray Avery. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Avery/Ray_Longfellow/USA.html
  22. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  23. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  24. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  25. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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