Terrie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The surname Terrie is a ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Norman personal name Therry, which in turn comes from the Germanic Theodoric. 1 Edward the Confessor (c.1004-1066) employed a German goldsmith named Theoderic for some of his coinage design; so it is certainly possible that the name in Britain predates the coming of the Normans.

Early Origins of the Terrie family

The surname Terrie was first found in Kent where Thierry, son of Deorman of London was granted lands by Gilbert, Earl of Pembroke between 1138 and 1149. Thierry continued to be an under tenant of Richard FitzGilbert of Clare.

Some of the first listings of the name were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, specifically: Terry (without surname) in Yorkshire; Richard Terry in Huntingdonshire; Terricus le Alemaunde in Buckinghamshire; and Geoffrey Terri in Oxfordshire. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls had two listings: Johannes Tyrry; and Petrus Terre. "Terry is a name now also represented in Buckinghamshire and the West Riding [of Yorkshire]; and it is remarkable that, as far back as the reign of Edward I., it occurred still in Yorkshire, and also in the counties adjacent to Buckinghanshire, namely those of Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Huntingdonshire. In Elizabeth's time the Terrys held the manors of Bicknor and Swanton Court; and in the same reign there lived a family of yeomen of the name in Herne, and in the time of Charles I." 3

Early History of the Terrie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terrie research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1190, 1555, 1590, 1615, 1616, 1625 and 1660 are included under the topic Early Terrie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terrie Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Terrie has been recorded under many different variations, including Terry, Terrie and others.

Early Notables of the Terrie family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Terry (1590-1660), English writer of travels, born at Leigh, near Penshurst, Kent. "In February 1615-1616, Terry went out to India as chaplain with a fleet sent by the London East India Company, sailing in the Charles with Benjamin...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Terrie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Terrie family to Ireland

Some of the Terrie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 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 Terrie family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Terries were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Stephen Terry and Jane Hardey Terry, who came to New England in 1630, aboard the "Mary & John"; Giles Terry who settled in Virginia in 1635.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.