Surname Humphries - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Surprising Revelations from My Humphries iGENEA DNA Test Report: An Unexpected Ethnic Journey
My surname, Humphries, has always evoked images of British landscapes and tea-soaked afternoons. As far as my family's oral history went, we were firmly rooted in the British Isles, with perhaps a little Viking or Norman blood thrown in for good measure. However, my iGENEA DNA test results have opened my eyes to a more complex and fascinating tapestry of ancestry and ethnic origins.
A. Humphries
read moreHumphries: What does the surname Humphries mean?
The surname Humphries is of medieval English origin, derived from the personal name Humphrey. The name Humphrey itself comes from the Old French "Humfrey," which blends elements from the Old German words "hun" meaning "bear cub" and "frid" or "fred" meaning "peace." Thus, the name Humphries indirectly suggests connotations of "peaceful bear cub." As a surname, it was primarily used in the Midlands and southern counties of England. Although first used in the Middle Ages, it became more popular after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Like many surnames, it has various spelling variations, including Humphreys, Humfries, and Humphris, among others. Humphries is a patronymic surname, denoting “son of Humphrey.” Today, it is prevalent in many English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHumphries: Where does the name Humphries come from?
The surname Humphries is of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name Humphrey, which means “peaceful warrior”. This name has become popular from the medieval saint, St. Humphrey. The surname first surfaced in Shropshire and has spread across England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The surname Humphries is quite common in English-speaking countries. Some variations of this surname include Humphreys, Humphris, and Humphries. Studies have suggested that around 1860, there was a significant population of Humphries in Shropshire, England. Today, it is most prevalent in the United States, especially in Georgia. It is also fairly common in England, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and Wales. The surname has also spread into non-English speaking countries because of immigration and colonial expansion.
Variations of the surname Humphries
The surname Humphries is of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name Humphrey. This name is associated with several variants and spellings owing to regional dialects, phonetic spellings, and other factors.
Variations of Humphries include, but are not limited to Humphreys, Humphrey, Humphris, Humphry, Humfries, Humfrey, Humphery, and Humfress, amongst others.
The surnames Humphress, Humfris, Humfray, and Humpries also come from the same root and are considered equivalent variant forms. These variant spellings hadn’t become standardised until quite recently, so in earlier centuries more variations can be found.
In many cases, the inclusion or exclusion of the -s at the end of Humphries can indicate a patronymic expression, meaning “son of Humphrey.”
Foreign adaptations of this surname, while not directly variants, include the Spanish "Umfray" and the French "Humfrey," indicating the spread of the surname beyond English-speaking countries. Additional spelling variations may have also emerged in these and other foreign languages.
Surname variations may not only vary in terms of spelling, but may also have different, yet related coat of arms, emphasizing the complex and multilayered history of the surname Humphries.
Famous people with the name Humphries
- Kris Humphries- An American professional basketball player.
- Andrew Humphries- A British music producer and sound engineer.
- Ryan Humphries- A former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Catherine Humphries- A managing editor at Publishers Weekly: PWxyz.
- James Humphries- A US Army Major and aviator who flew The Last Mission.
- Stephen Humphries- A leading broadcaster, author and documentary filmmaker.
- Alana Humphries- A viral video producer and creator.
- Barney Humphries- A British actor most well known for his portrayal of the characters of Teeth and Grandad in Absolutely Fabulous.
- Jonathan Humphries- An award winning chef and restauranteur.
- Kasia Humphries- a professional London-based business coach and corporate strategist.