Show ContentsEmison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The illustrious name literally means 'the son of Emery,' 1 or 'Emery’s Son.' 2 The name Emery dates back to the Domesday Book 3 when the Latin version Amalricus, was first listed. 4

Early Origins of the Emison family

The surname Emison was first found in Durham at Finchdale, where William Emeryson was recorded in 1411. Later in 1498, Cuthbert Emerson was listed as a Freeman of York in 1498. 4

Richard Emryson, Yorkshire was listed in Historia Dunelmensis, but no dates were listed. Surtees Society also lists William Emeryson, Yorkshire: Priory of Finchale; and Richard Emerson, Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia. 1

"The Emersons, who lived at Hill Close House, Darlington, [Durham] for centuries, are still represented in that town and its neighbourhood." 5

Early History of the Emison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emison research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1100, 1701, 1782 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Emison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emison Spelling Variations

The name Emison, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Emerson, Emmerson, Emerston and others.

Early Notables of the Emison family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was William Emerson (1701-1782), English mathematician, the son of Dudley Emerson, a schoolmaster, was born at Hurworth, Durham, on 14 May 1701. He was first educated by his father and a curate who boarded in the house, and was...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Emison family to Ireland

Some of the Emison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Emison family

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Emison family, or who bore a variation of the surname Emison were Ellis Emerson, his wife Anne, and son Thomas (who was the scion of one of U.S. most distinguished families), settled in Virginia in 1623 from Durham; William Emerson settled in Virginia in 1618 before the ".


Contemporary Notables of the name Emison (post 1700) +

  • John W. Emison, American Republican politician, Chair of Knox County Republican Party, 1905 6
  • James W. Emison, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1908 6
  • Ewing R. Emison, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1924, 1952 6


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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