Show ContentsEmile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Emile

What does the name Emile mean?

The ancestors of the Emile family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Emile was a name given to a leader or ruler. The surname Emile originally derived from the Old English word Amalric which referred to someone who held great power. The surname Emile was part of a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Emile family

The surname Emile was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where John de Emlay was listed in 1304. 1 Today Emley or Elmley is a parish, in the Upper and Lower divisions of the wapentake of Agbrigg in Yorkshire. 2

Early History of the Emile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emile research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1600, 1617, 1640, 1649, 1657 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Emile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emile Spelling Variations

Emile has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Emile have been found, including Emberley, Emerle, Emerly, Emberly, Emilly and others.

Early Notables of the Emile family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emile Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emile Ranking

In France, the name Emile is the 6,855th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Emile family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Emiles to arrive on North American shores: James Emilly who settled in Charleston in 1832; Michael Emberley settled in St. Christopher in 1685.


Contemporary Notables of the name Emile (post 1700) +

  • Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II (b. 1985), American record producer and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. Sometimes referred to as D. Emile, Dernst Emile II or Dee'Mile is most commonly known and accredited as D'Mile. In 2020, D'Mile's production work with artists Lucky Daye and H.E.R. were nominated for seven Grammy Awards. In 2021 he received a Grammy Award for Best Original Song, for co-writing the song "I Can't Breathe"
  • Jacques Emile Blamont (1926-2020), French astrophysicist author and the founder scientific and technical director of National Centre for Space Studies
  • Paul Emile Chappuis (1816-1887), French photographer, inventor and manufacturer of daylight reflectors
  • Jean Emile Charon (1920-1998), French nuclear physicist and author of over 20 books on physics, scientific philosophy, and computer science
  • J. Emile Verret (1885-1965), American politician, Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 1944 to 1948
  • Brigadier-General Victor Emile Bertrandis (1893-1961), American Chief of Maintenance Division, Air Technical Service Command (1944-1945) 4
  • Claude Emile Laroche, French physician, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Paris
  • Hon. Sir Roy Emile Jack (1914-1977), New Zealand politician
  • Jacques Emile Delorme, French international civil servant, Vice-President of the European Patent Office, and an officer in the Legion of Honour
  • Robert Emile DeLeo (b. 1966), American bass player and musician


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  4. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Victor Bertrandis. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Bertrandis/Victor_Emile/USA.html


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