Surname Ivry - Meaning and Origin
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Ivry: What does the surname Ivry mean?
The last name Ivry is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the biblical town of Ephraim, which is now a part of the State of Israel. While the meaning of the name is uncertain, it is believed to be derived from the Hebrew phrase ‘eiver’, which means ‘place of fertility’ or ‘place of abundance’.
This surname is also found in French-speaking countries and is sometimes spelled with an ‘i’ instead of an ‘e’. In the French version, the name Ivry translates to 'brook'. It is also sometimes spelled with an ‘y’ instead of an ‘i’, giving the alternate spelling of Ivry.
The original biblical town of Ephraim, which the surname is derived from, is located on the west bank of the Jordan River and is mentioned in the Book of Joshua. It is believed to be the home of the biblical Joseph, who was the son of Jacob and the head of the tribe of Ephraim.
Today, there are families of the surname Ivry around the world. In French-speaking countries, the name is often regarded as a status symbol, reflecting the family’s wealth and success. Those with this last name tend to be associated with a French nobility, and the name is also linked to some Jewish families in Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisIvry: Where does the name Ivry come from?
The last name Ivry is commonly found among Jewish population in both Europe and North America today. The name has its roots in the city of Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris in France, where it is estimated to be around 587 years old. It was a small town in medieval times that the locals referred to as ‘Ivri’ meaning “Judea,” referring to its significant Jewish population.
The Ivry surname began spreading through the surrounding villages and soon appeared in records of Jews living in Metz in the 16th century. In 1784 the Jews of France were granted emancipation, and many Ivry family members took advantage of this opportunity to move further afield to countries such as England, Prussia, and the United States.
Today, the surname of Ivry is not particularly common in Europe, likely due to the great amount of persecution faced by Jewish people during the wars of the 20th century. However, in the US and Canada, the name is more popular due to the influx of immigrants who settled there during and after World War II.
The Ivry surname is still quite common in Jewish populations in these countries, as many continue to carry on their family legacy.
Variations of the surname Ivry
The surname Ivry has a few variants and spellings as well as a few surnames of the same origin.
One variant of Ivry is Ivrie, which would be spelled I-V-R-I-E. Another is Ivrye or I-V-R-Y-E, and a third is Ivory, spelled I-V-O-R-Y.
There are several surnames of the same origin that could be related to the Ivry surname. One is Ivery, which is spelled I-V-E-R-Y. Another is Ivers, which is spelled I-V-E-R-S, and a third is Iverson, spelled I-V-E-R-S-O-N.
Other related surnames of Ivry include Ivins, Ivon, and Ivanov. Ivins is spelled I-V-I-N-S; Ivon is spelled I-V-O-N; and Ivanov is spelled I-V-A-N-O-V.
For those seeking a more uncommon spelling for the Ivry surname, Ivray is also an option, spelled I-V-R-A-Y. It is believed to be a French/Hebrew spelling from the Yiddish-language word "ivray" meaning "he will say."
According to Jewish tradition, the Ivry surname can be traced to the year 1000 A.D. when a certain family of Jews in the area of Spain moved to the city of Ivry-sur-Seine, just outside of Paris, and took the name Ivry.
Overall, the surname Ivry has many variants and related surnames of the same origin. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine which spelling they prefer to use.
Famous people with the name Ivry
- Alexei Ivry: Professor of Neurobiology at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an adjunct professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School
- Ofra Ivry: Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Gilat Satellite Networks
- Sarah Ivry: Psychologist, who specializes in interventions for ADHD and other behavioral issues
- Amos Ivry: former Israeli Air Force Commander, Major General and Governor of the Central Bank of Israel
- Kathleen Ivry: Stage Actress and Performance Coach
- Oren Ivry: Visual Effects Guerrilla and Valley Leader in Special Visual Effects
- Eli Ivry: Animation Director and Project Manager
- Nancy Ivry: Poet and Book Editor
- Amnon Ivry: Israeli animation director and producer
- Dalia Ivry: Award-winning Israeli screenwriter and director