Origin of the surname Humphrey

An example of the frequent use of personal names to create surnames, this name is from the Old French personal name "Humfrey", introduced to Britain by the Normans after the Invasion of 1066. It is derived from the Germanic elements "hun" meaning "bear cub" and "frid" or "fred" meaning "peace". St. Humfrey, the 9th Century Bishop of Therouanne, had a certain following in England among the Norman settlers, and no doubt this contributed to the popularity of the name. Interestingly, until the early 14th Century, the name appears to have been confined to the nobility and the learned sections of the populace, such as scribes and scholars in great houses and monasteries.

As a personal name, it appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Humfridus". Recordings from London Church Registers include the marriage of Christopher Humphrey and Susan Gore on December 8th 1586, at St. Benets. A Coat of Arms granted to families called Humphrey in Barton, Northampton, and Shipson, Leicester is a red shield, a cross botonee silver quarter pierced of the field, charged on each end with three black escallops, the Crest being a silver harpy crined gold, wings displayed gold. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Humphrey, which was dated 1240, in the "Fines Court Rolls of Bedford", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Humphrey. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of humphrey leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname humphrey, and in addition to the original locations of humphrey, we can find out where people with the surname humphrey can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of humphrey.

The surname Humphrey around the world

There is a considerable probability that humphrey has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where humphrey is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname humphrey has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Humphrey

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named humphrey are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname humphrey are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname humphrey.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of humphrey could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname humphrey or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of humphrey.

Notable Figures Named Humphrey

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname humphrey, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like humphrey can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname humphrey, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname humphrey who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Humphrey and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname humphrey, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname humphrey, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of humphrey.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of humphrey, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Humphrey