Show ContentsHemborough History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Hemborough was formed. The name was derived from the Old French personal names Amauri and Emaurri. These are derived from the Old German personal name Amalric, which literally means work-rule.

Early Origins of the Hemborough family

The surname Hemborough was first found in Devon at Broadhembury which is also known as Hembury, a parish and former market-town in the union of Honiton. 1 Hembury is also the name of a Neolithic causewayed enclosure and Iron Age hill fort near Honiton in Devon and is thought to date back from the late fifth and early fourth century BC. Hembury Castle is an Iron Age Hill fort near Tythecott, south of Buckland Brewer. Some researchers believe that the name is related to the name Embury, but this is not the case as this name is a distinct Devon name whereas Embury hails from Somerset. 2 3

Early History of the Hemborough family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hemborough research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1377 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Hemborough History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hemborough 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 Hemborough include Hembery, Hembry, Hembrow, Hembrough, Hemborough, Hembury, Hembergh, Hembro, Hembray, Hembree and many more.

Early Notables of the Hemborough family

More information is included under the topic Early Hemborough Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hemborough 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 Hemborough were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Hembrow, who sailed to Barbados in 1659; Thomas Hembrow to America 1665; Joseph Hembray to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1684; John Hembrough, who settled in Illinois in 1835.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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