Show ContentsEmry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Emry is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from an ancient Saxon Chieftain named Almericus. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Emry family

The surname Emry was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the singular Latin form Amalricus was listed. 1

Later in Lincolnshire, in the forename form, Ymnerus filius Reineri was listed c. 1160. The singular Haimeri was found in the Pipe Rolls for Staffordshire in 1170 and a few years later, Haimericus filius Gidhe was found in Lincolnshire c. 1190-1195. We must look to Northumberland in the Curia Regis Rolls 1207-1214 to see the name with early surname spellings: Robertus filius Amalrici, Almarici, Aumarici. Aymery de Rupe Cawardi was found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1278; Roger Hemeri in Clerkenwell, Essex c. 1182; Robert Amalri in the Curia Regis Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1207; Richard Aumauri in the Curia Regis Rolls for Dorset in 1221; Robert Emeri in Leicestershire in 1223; Robert Heymeri in Cheshire in 1240; Simon Amarik in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1260; William Emeric in 1276; and Robert Amary, Amory in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire in 1279. 2

Early History of the Emry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emry research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1777, 1792, 1793, 1802, 1822, 1825, 1842 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Emry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Emry have been found, including Emery, Emmery, Emory, Emmory, Emerye, Emmerie and others.

Early Notables of the Emry family

Notables of the family at this time include John Emery (1777-1822), actor, born at Sunderland 22 Sept. 1777, and obtained a rudimentary education at Ecclesfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. His father, Mackle Emery (d. 18 May 1825), was a country actor, and his mother, as Mrs. Emery, sen., appeared 6 July 1802 at the Haymarket as Dame Ashfield in Morton's 'Speed the Plough,' and subsequently played at Covent Garden. Emery was brought up for a musician, and when twelve years of age was in the orchestra at the Brighton theatre. At this house he made his first appearance as...
Another 287 words (20 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Emry migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Emry, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Emry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Emry, who was among the first group of immigrants to Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 aboard the ship "Discovery"
  • Robert Emry, who landed in New Haven, Connecticut in 1643 3
  • Rebecca Emry, who settled in Maryland in 1664
Emry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • J. Emry, aged 20, German who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1847 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" 4
  • Bridget Emry, aged 17, British settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1851 aboard the ship "Northumbria" 4
  • Mat M. Emry, aged 20, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1852 aboard the ship "Lesmahagow" 4
  • Magt M. Emry, aged 24, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1852 aboard the ship "Lesmahagow" 4
  • Brigt Emry, aged 22, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1852 aboard the ship "Lesmahagow" 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Emry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Patrick Emry, aged 50, arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Monterey" from Havana, Cuba 5
  • Charlotte A. Emry, aged 9, arrived in New York, NY in 1923 aboard the ship "America" from Cherbourg, France 5
  • Ronald Emry, aged 42, arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Southampton, England 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Emry (post 1700) +

  • Elizabeth "Betty" Emry (1923-1995), American infielder and pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for the Racine Belles (1945–1946)
  • T. L. Emry, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 1896 6
  • Elias L. Emry, American politician, Member of Nebraska territorial House of Representatives, 1865 6
  • Shea Emry (b. 1986), former Canadian CFL football linebacker who played from 2008 to 2015


The Emry Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fidis et sauvis
Motto Translation: Faith and sweet


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  5. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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