Surname Emery - Meaning and Origin

Personal Journey of Genetic Discovery: Appreciating the Emery Ancestry through iGENEA

Swab, mail, and wait. Enthralled by the power of science, I embarked on a journey with iGENEA to uncover my genetic heritage. The results revealed a deep connection to the surname Emery and reframed my perception on family, leaving me humbled and enriched.

S. Emery

Emery: What does the surname Emery mean?

The surname Emery is of Old German origin and is derived from the ancient personal name 'Emmerich'. This name is composed of two elements: "amal" meaning 'work, labor' and "ric" meaning 'power' or 'ruler'. So, the comprehensive meaning of the name Emery could be 'industrious ruler' or 'powerful at work'.

The surname first appeared in England around the 12th century and over the centuries, has appeared in many different variations including Emery, Emory, Emmerie, Emrey, and others. It entered France as a derivative of the masculine given name 'Aimery', transformed into 'Emery'. It's also quite common in Normandy.

The name became popular due to several saints such as St. Amalric and St. Emmeram, known for their diligence and hard work. Over the centuries, those named Emery have shown these qualities, with numerous appearances in politics, science, sports, and arts. Though the name is widely spread in Europe and North America, it is particularly common in England.

Emery: Where does the name Emery come from?

The last name Emery has dual origins, predominantly German and English. In Germany, it derives from the Old German name "Amalric", which means "work-rule". In England, it comes from the Old English name “Æmery”, which was derived from an ancient Germanic personal name, “Amalric”. The name was brought to England during the Norman Conquest. It was popular because the name's elements subtly suggest industriousness and leadership, with ‘amal’ meaning “work, labour” and ‘ric’ implying “ruler, king”.

In terms of present prevalence, Emery is a common surname predominantly in the United States. According to the 2000 US Census, Emery is the 865th most common surname in the country, with approximately 37,000 bearers. Other countries where the surname is common include England, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Emery

The surname Emery has various spellings and variants which may have evolved over time due to regional dialects, literacy levels or simply migration. Some of the most common variations include Emory, Embery, Emory, Emary, Emmery, Emmory, Aimeric, Amerigo, Emmerich, and Amery.

The surname Emery is believed to have originated from the ancient personal name "Aimery", of Old German origins. It traces back to the pre 7th century compound "Amalric", made of the elements "amal", meaning labour, and "ric", implying power - thus translating to "home-ruler" or "ruler of the work place".

Over time, this was transposed into "Aimeric" in Old French, "Aimery" in Middle English, and eventually into "Emery".

Moreover, the surname may also show variation as a habitational name. For instance, in Northern France it may be found as Emeris, Emerigon, and Emerigonis.

Furthermore, the Emery surname is also found in various cultural contexts. For instance, in Hebrew, it's spelled as "Imri". In southern Italy, you may encounter it as Amerigo. The popularity of certain variants often depends on regional dialects and cultural practices.

Famous people with the name Emery

• Ray Emery: A Canadian professional ice hockey goalkeeper.
• Gus Emery: A former American football player.
• Unai Emery: A Spanish football manager and former player.
• Dick Emery: An English comedian and actor.
• Paul Burlingame Emery: A former Major League Baseball player.
• Denise Emery: A famous Canadian artist known for her abstract expressionist works.
• John Emery: An American actor in stage, film, radio and television.
• Luther Emery: An American football player.
• Martin Emery: An English expert in web accessibility.
• Toby Emery: An American film and television editor.
• Kim Emery: Former Australian Cricketer.
• C. Eugene Emery Jr.: A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
• Karen Emery: An Australian film and television actress.
• Oliver Emery: A British Motorsports Engineer.
• Matt Emery: A composer and musician from London, England.
• Wayne Emery: Founder of Little Em's Oyster Bar in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Ralph Emery: A noted American country music disc jockey and television host.
• David Emery: A retired British middle-distance runner and 1971 European Indoor champion.
• Angela Emery: An Australian actor known for "Demons in Paradise."
• Tyler Emery: A TV journalist in Richmond, Virginia.

Other surnames

EmereyEmerichEmeroEmerryEmersenEmersonEmert