Newbry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Newbry surname is a habitational name from any of the many places called Newbury, such as Newbury in Berkshire. These place names are derived from the Old English elements "ne-owe," meaning "new," and "burh," meaning "fortified town." 1 2 3

Newbury "is said to have risen from the ruins of the ancient Spinæ, a Roman station whose site is occupied by the village of Speen, was, in contradistinction to the old town, called Newbyrig, of which its present name is only a slight modification. It was of some importance at the time of the Conquest, and was bestowed by William on Ernulph de Hesdin, whose grandson was killed in the battle of Lincoln, in the reign of Stephen. In the reign of Edward I. Newbury returned two members to parliament, and in the 11th of Edward III. sent three deputies to a grand council of trade held at Westminster. In the reign of Henry VIII. it was one of the most flourishing towns in the kingdom, and was particularly distinguished for its manufacture of woollencloth. At this period lived the celebrated John Winchcombe, commonly called Jack of Newbury, said to have been the most eminent clothier in England, and to have sumptuously entertained Henry VIII. and his Queen Catherine on their visit to the town. " 4

Early Origins of the Newbry family

The surname Newbry was first found in Berkshire, where the first on record was Godwin de Neweberia listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1190. Again in Berkshire, the Hundredorum Rolls included an entry for Henry de Neubury in 1279. 5

Another source notes that the Hundredorum Rolls also includes a listing of Henry de Neubury in Buckinghamshire at that time. 1 In Somerset, John de Newbury was recorded as holding lands, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

"The following variants are found in the Register of the University of Oxford. (Index): Neuburgh, Newberough, Newbrough, Neuberrye, Newberey, Newbrye, Nubery, and Newberie." 1

Early History of the Newbry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newbry research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1279, 1327, 1377, 1519, 1688, 1691, 1693, 1713 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Newbry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Newbry Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Newbry were recorded, including Newbery, NewBerry, Newbury and others.

Early Notables of the Newbry family

Distinguished members of the family include John Newbery (baptized 1713-1767), an English publisher of books, eponym of the Newbery Medal for his efforts to publish children's books; and John Winchcombe...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Newbry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Newbry family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Newbry family emigrate to North America: Thomas NewBerry, who emigrated from Devon, England, to Dorchester, MA, in 1634; Richard Newbury, who arrived in Weymouth, MA in 1645; Benjamin Newbury, who came to Connecticut in 1685.

Contemporary Notables of the name Newbry (post 1700) +

Earl T. Newbry, American Republican politician, Secretary of State of Oregon, 1947-57; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oregon, 1956 7

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html