Surname Pembrook - Meaning and Origin

Pembrook: What does the surname Pembrook mean?

The last name Pembrook is believed to be of English origin, derived from the combination of two words - the Olde English pre 7th century “penn” meaning ‘enclosure’, ‘fold’, or ‘pen’, and “broc”, a brook or stream; therefore, the name has been taken to indicate ‘one who dwells by the enclosed stream’. More specifically, the family name Pembrook is believed to have derived from the town of Pembroke in South Wales.

At the time of the earliest record of the surname in 1086, when names were first adopted by the lower class, the spelling of "Pembrook" was recorded as Penbroc. Early records further suggest the spelling of the surname changed from Penbroc to Pembroke to Pembrook, with individuals changing their names as a result of their migrations.

The name Pembrook is common in the USA; in 1920, 8.9 percent of all Pembrooks lived in the United States. The highest concentrations were in California, Texas, Washington, and Virginia.

Genealogical research has identified branches of the Pembrook family tracing back to many European countries. Many had moved to North America during the colonial years and the establishment of the United States of America.

The Pembrook family today continues to represent a proud line of distinguished individuals who are remembered both for their skillful achievements, their independent spirit and loyalty to family and friends.

Pembrook: Where does the name Pembrook come from?

Pembrook is an English surname of locative origin, derived from a place name in Cornwall. It is most commonly thought to derive from the Old English words penn (pen, hill) and broc (brook), and therefore literally means 'hill stream' or 'brook on the hill'.

The Pembrook name can be found in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In England, the Pembrook name is most common in Cornwall, Devonshire and Derbyshire. The Pembrook surname can also be found in France, where it is thought to come from French immigrants who settled in Britain in the 16th century.

In the United States, Pembrook is most commonly found in New England and the Midwest states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. In Canada, the Pembrook surname is most commonly found in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Australia also has a significant Pembrook population, with the name being most common in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

In New Zealand, the surname is found mainly in the South Island. All in all, the Pembrook name is commonly found throughout the English-speaking world, with particularly significant population clusters in Cornwall and the American Midwest.

Variations of the surname Pembrook

The surname Pembrook is a variant of the more ancient English surname ‘Pemberton’ and is derived from either the Old English personal name ‘Pemba’ or the Old English ‘penn’, meaning ‘enclosure’. It is also related to Middle English words such as ‘pembrycge’, referring to a bridge.

The variants of Pembrook include Pemberton, Pembrick, Pemint, Pemploe, Pemple, Pemons, and Pemrand. Spellings related to Pembrook include Pembrugh, Pemrbrugh, Pemrovgh, and Pembroue.

Surnames of the same origin as Pembrook include Emberley, Palmbrook, and Sherburne. Other related surnames are Ambler, Bamber, Cumberbatch, Halmbrook, Kimbrell, Kimberlin, Limbrey, Ramberg, Tallmadge, and Timbrell.

The Pembrook surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in the county of Northamptonshire. It has also been used extensively in the United States and Canada for those with British roots.

Famous people with the name Pembrook

• Steve Pembroke: a British actor and singer who has won two Drama Desk Awards and three Olivier Awards.
• George Pembroke: a British diplomat who served as Governor of Barbados from 1866-70.
• William Pembroke Mulchinock: an American composer of popular music from the 1900s.
• Emily Pembroke: a Canadian actress who starred in the Canadian TV series The Eleventh Hour and won a 2009 Gemini Award.
• Robert Pembroke: an Australian actor who starred in the movie The Castle and won an AFI Award.
• Roberta Pembrook: a British singer and songwriter, best known for her collaborations with producer Richard Niles.
• Robert R. Pembrook: an American businessman and investor who served as president of the American Barbell Corporation from 1971-73.
• Rory Pembroke: a Scottish politician who served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament from 2011-16.
• William Pembroke: an English actor and writer who co-created the BBC sitcom The Last of the Summer Wine.
• David Pembroke: an English composer, conductor and arranger, best known for his work on numerous film scores.

Other surnames

Pembroke