Surname Embrey - Meaning and Origin

Embrey: What does the surname Embrey mean?

The surname Embrey is of English origin and it primarily originates from regions in the West Midlands and South West of England. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century words "embley" or "eimblida", which translates roughly to "embers". This suggests that the person carrying this name might have been associated with fire, either symbolically or literally through a profession such as blacksmithing, baking, or fire-tending. The suffix "ey" is derived from Old English word "-eg", which meant 'island' or 'dry ground in a marsh'. It's also possible that Embrey could have been a topographic surname indicating a person who lived near a specific landmark or geographical feature somewhere that had embers, such as a forge. It is important to note that over time, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames can evolve and vary greatly, making the determination of meaning somewhat challenging. As it's a rather rare surname, this is a broad and general interpretation of its meaning.

Embrey: Where does the name Embrey come from?

The last name Embrey originates from England and it is an old Anglo-Saxon name. The surname was first found in Berkshire, a county in South East England. The roots of the name are traced back to when the family lived in the village of Emery Down in the county of Hampshire.

This surname may have derived from the medieval English given name Emery, which itself originates from the Old German names Emmerich or Amalric. These names were composed of the elements “amal,” meaning “work, labor” and “ric,” meaning “power,” essentially meaning “industrious,” or “ruler.”

Over time, as people migrated and families moved around, the Embrey surname dispersed across regions. Although it is not extremely common compared to other surnames, the largest populations of people with the surname Embrey, today, are found in the United States, England, and Canada. With increased globalization, it’s likely that the Embrey name can be found in smaller numbers in many countries around the world. Genetic genealogy testing for the Embrey surname also suggests somewhat significant presence in Ireland and Scotland.

Variations of the surname Embrey

The surname Embrey is of English origin and it's derived from the word "Emery," which is a variant of Amery, a personal name introduced from Germany during the Norman Conquest. Variants of this surname include Emery, Emory, Emmery, Emrey, and Emberly. The name may also be localized, which includes details of location such as Embrey of Staffordshire.

Some misspelled versions of the name due to phonetic misinterpretations and different accent pronunciations could include Imbrey, Ionbrey, Enbrey, etc. It appears the main variation of the original "Emery" is by changing or transposing the first and second letters. Hence variations such as "Membrey" or "Membry" might also be possible.

Other variations or misspellings may be seen when a prefix or suffix is added to the name, giving us variants like Embreyson, Embreys, or Embreyer. Shifting language use and geographic spread have given rise to the stands of these surname versions.

It's also important to note that surnames were often spelled differently in old records and will have evolved or changed over time based on pronunciation, region, or preference.

Famous people with the name Embrey

• Heather Embrey: She is a popular American actress known for her roles in “The Color Purple” and “Gone in 60 Seconds.”
• Ryan Embrey: A known figure in the sports industry, Ryan is an accomplished baseball coach who has served in different collegiate baseball teams.
• John Embrey: An influential figure in British literature and linguistics, Embrey served as a professor and contributed significantly to the understanding of modern English language.
• Tim Embrey: A renowned music producer and songwriter who has worked with many well-known artists in the music industry.
• Fred Embrey: A distinguished figure in the world of education, Fred Embrey has dedicated his life to promoting literacy and uplifting the education system. Note: Very few famous individuals carry the last name Embrey. As such, some of the individuals listed may not be widely recognized. Always cross-check your information for accurate details.

Other surnames

Embree