Contents [hide]

Humphreys History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Humphreys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

The Humphreys surname comes from the Old French personal name Humfrey, a cognate of the Old German names Hunfrid and Humfrid. This name was originally derived from the Germanic elements "hun," which means "bear cub," and "frid" or "fred," which mean "peace." It was borne by a 9th century saint and Bishop of Therouanne, who was popular among Norman settlers of England. 1

Early Origins of the Humphreys family

The surname Humphreys was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where early Latin forms of the name were first used: Hunfridus, Humfridus. 2

Many records at this time were a mixture of Latin and Old English. Humfridus was recorded in Suffolk in 1186-1188, but by the 13th century records were often in English, as seen by William Humfrey, who was recorded in Bedfordshire in 1240. William Humfray, Umfrey was found in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1293 and a few years later, Roger Houmfrey was recorded in 1311. 3

The name is "rarely found north of a line drawn from the Wash to the Dee. Humphrey is confined to the eastern half of the area, in Berks, Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex, etc. Humphreys characterizes the western half, being most numerous in North Wales, and after that in Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, etc. Both are rare or absent in the four south-western counties." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had mixed entries for name as a forename and a surname in a wide variety of spellings: John Hunfray, Oxfordshire; Henry filius Umfridi, Oxfordshire; Peter Umfry, Oxfordshire; Umfrey le Gerische, Oxfordshire; and Richard Humfrey, Oxfordshire. 5

Early History of the Humphreys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Humphreys research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1069, 1391, 1447, 1579, 1621, 1647, 1648, 1662, 1674, 1701, 1712, 1714, 1719, 1735 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Humphreys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Humphreys Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Humphreys have included Humphreys, Homfray, Humfrey, Humfrie, Humfries, Humfreys, Humphereys, Humphries, Humphrays, Humphray, Humphrey, Humphris, Humphry, Humphryes and many more.

Early Notables of the Humphreys family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Sir William Humphreys, Lord Mayor of London in 1714
Humphrey Humphreys (1648-1712), Welsh clergyman, Bishop of Bangor and of Hereford (1701-1712)

Humphreys World Ranking

In the United States, the name Humphreys is the 2,284^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Humphreys is ranked the 720^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,430 people with that name. 7 And in the United Kingdom, the name Humphreys is the 370^th popular surname with an estimated 17,019 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Humphreys family to Ireland

Some of the Humphreys family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Humphreys migration to the United States +

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Humphreys were found:

Humphreys Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Michael Humphreys, who arrived in Connecticut in 1642 9
Mary Humphreys, who arrived in Maryland in 1660 9
Humphrey Humphreys, who landed in Maryland in 1660 9
Stephen Humphreys, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 9
Peter Humphreys, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Humphreys Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Humphreys, who landed in Virginia in 1735 9
Gislin Humphreys, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 9
Joel Humphreys, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 9

Humphreys Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Humphreys, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
Park Humphreys, aged 30, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 9
Francis Humphreys, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 9
Charles Humphreys, who landed in America in 1817 9
James Humphreys, who landed in Texas in 1835 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Humphreys migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Humphreys Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Humphreys, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Mr. Nicholas Humphreys U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10
Mr. Nicholas Humphreys MD, U.E. who settled in Sugar Island, Kingsclear, New Brunswick c. 1784 he was a surgeon with New Jersey Volunteers 10
Mr. William Humphreys U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 10

Humphreys Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mrs. Eliza Humphreys, aged 24 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 29th June 1847 11
Miss. Mary Ann Humphreys, aged 1 year & 3 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 19th June 1847 11

Humphreys migration to Australia +

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

Humphreys Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Daniel Humphreys, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. John Humphreys, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Humphreys, (b. 1796), aged 23, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), listed as executed 14
Mr. James Humphreys, (b. 1797), aged 23, English cabinet maker who was convicted in Northumberland, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1833 15
Mr. John Humphreys, Welsh convict who was convicted in Montgomery, Dyfed-Powys, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Humphreys 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:

Humphreys Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Edwin Humphreys, aged 45, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Mary Humphreys, aged 43, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Mary Humphreys, aged 17, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
George Humphreys, aged 15, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Henry Humphreys, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Humphreys 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. 17

Humphreys Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Susan Humphreys, who settled in Barbados in 1654
John Humphreys, who settled in Barbados in 1663

Humphreys Settlers in West Indies in the 19th Century

Philip Humphreys, who landed in Jamaica in 1803 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Humphreys (post 1700) +

Karen Patricia Moe Humphreys (b. 1953), née Moe, American gold medalist swimmer at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Joshua Humphreys (1751-1838), American ship builder, eponym of the USS Humphreys (DD-236)
West Hughes Humphreys (1806-1882), American and Confederate Judge, prohibitionist
Benjamin G. Humphreys (1808-1882), American politician and Confederate Army general
Josephine Humphreys (b. 1945), American novelist
Andrew A. Humphreys (1810-1883), U.S. Army officer and Union general
Emyr Humphreys (1919-2020), Welsh novelist, poet, and author from Prestatyn, Wales
Jonathan Matthews Humphreys (b. 1969), former international Wales rugby union player who played for the Wales National Team (1995-2003)
David Humphreys (1936-2021), Australian cyclist who competed in the individual road race at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Benjamin Charles Humphreys AM (1934-2019), Australian politician, Minister for Veterans' Affairs (1987-1993), Member of the Australian Parliament for Griffith (1977-1996)
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Humphreys family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. William Humphreys (1879-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18

HMS Hood

Mr. William Humphreys (b. 1921), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Collyhurst, Manchester, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Leslie Humphreys, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Henry St. Giles Humphreys, American 2nd Class passenger from Los Angeles, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21

RMS Titanic

Mr. Thomas Humphrey Humphreys (d. 1912), aged 31, English Assistant Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Sidney James Humphreys, aged 48, English Quartermaster from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 11 22

The Humphreys 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: L'homme vrai aime son pays
Motto Translation: The true man loves his country.

Citations +

Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
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
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 35)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
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
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html