Show ContentsEemilley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Eemilley is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Eemilley was a name used for a leader or ruler. The surname Eemilley originally derived from the Old English word Amalric which referred to someone who held great power. The surname Eemilley was part of a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Eemilley family

The surname Eemilley was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where John de Emlay was listed in 1304. 1 Today Emley or Elmley is a parish, in the Upper and Lower divisions of the wapentake of Agbrigg in Yorkshire. 2

Early History of the Eemilley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eemilley research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1600, 1617, 1640, 1649, 1657 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Eemilley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eemilley Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Eemilley include Emberley, Emerle, Emerly, Emberly, Emilly and others.

Early Notables of the Eemilley family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eemilley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Eemilley family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Eemilley were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: James Emilly who settled in Charleston in 1832; Michael Emberley settled in St. Christopher in 1685.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook