Henry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Henry

What does the name Henry mean?

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Henry lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Henry is derived from the personal name Henry.

Early Origins of the Henry family

The surname Henry was first found in Ayrshire and Fife where the intrusive "d" is common as in "Hendry." The earliest records are in the Latin form: "Henricus, dapifer, a witness c. 1183-88, and Henricus (Chen), bishop of Aberdeen, 1282-1328." 1

Early History of the Henry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henry research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1519, 1527, 1551, 1552, 1562, 1600, 1700, 1718, 1771, 1774, 1777, 1781, 1785, 1790, 1793, 1798 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Henry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henry Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Henry has been spelled Hendry, Hendrie, MacHendry, MacHendrick, MacKendrick and many more.

Early Notables of the Henry family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Robert Henry (1718-1790), Scottish historian, son of James Henry, farmer, of Muirton, parish of St...
The work embraces the period from the invasion of the Romans till the death of Henry VIII...

Henry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Henry is the 133^rd most popular surname with an estimated 169,116 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Henry is ranked the 232^nd most popular surname with an estimated 17,410 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Henry is the 363^rd popular surname. 4 France ranks Henry as 38^th with 46,229 people. 5 Australia ranks Henry as 290^th with 12,138 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Henry as 203^rd with 2,743 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Henry as 360^th with 17,384 people. 8

Migration of the Henry family to Ireland

Some of the Henry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henry migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Henry:

Henry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Wm Henry, aged 18, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 9
Andrew Henry, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 10
David Henry, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 10
Richard Henry, who landed in Virginia in 1655 10
William Henry, who arrived in Maryland in 1659 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Henry, who landed in Virginia in 1704 10
Danl Henry, who landed in Virginia in 1713 10
John Francis Henry, who landed in South Carolina in 1739 10
John Frederik Henry, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1741 10
Marian Henry, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Henry, who landed in New York in 1803 10
John Henry, aged 18, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 10
Jean Henry, who arrived in Louisiana in 1805-1809 10
John Henry, who arrived in Virginia in 1807 10
John Henry, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

David George Henry, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1900 10
Adolf Henry, who landed in Arkansas in 1903 10
Mrs. Edith B Henry, (b. 1868), aged 35, American settler returning from Mevagissey, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to New York, USA 11
Mr. John Henry, (b. 1875), aged 28, Cornish clerk travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to New York, USA 11

Henry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Henry Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Edmond Henry, who arrived in Canada in 1662
Mr. Edmé Henry, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 1st May 1662 12

Henry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Vincent Henry, son of Vincent and Marie, who married Marie-Suzanne Mouflet, daughter of Jea nand Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 25th February 1710 13
Louis Henry, son of Marin and Jeanne, who married Marie-Josephte Germain, daughter of Jean and Catherine, in Sainte-Geneviève, Quebec on 21st February 1735 13
Pierre Henry, son of Robert and Marie-Madeleine, who married Marguerite Brasseaux, daughter of Mathieu and Jeanne, in Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia on 2nd May 1736 13
Jean Henry, son of Mathurin and Geneviève, who married Marguerite Poulin, daughter of Claude and Marguerite, in Saint-Joachim, Quebec on 21st November 1746 13
Hugh Henry, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Job Henry, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
James Henry, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
Margaret Henry, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
Patrick Henry, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Matthew Henry, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Henry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Henry, (b. 1778), aged 22, English farmer who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1862 14
Mr. Robert Henry, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Benjamin Henry, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. George William Henry, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life , transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
Thomas Henry, a spinner, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Henry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr Henry, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
Thomas Henry, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
Miss Mary Henry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Martaban" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1856 18
R.W. Henry, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ann Wilson" in 1857
Mrs. Ann Henry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Egmont" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1858 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Henry Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Guillaume Henry, aged 17, who arrived in Cuba in 1785 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Henry (post 1700) +

William A. Henry III (1950-1994), award-winning American cultural critic and author awarded the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism
Patrick Henry (1736-1799), Famous for saying "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!"
Laurin Luther Henry (1921-2025), American academic, worked as a researcher, consultant and educator, considered an expert on the subject of United States presidential transitions
Beulah Louise Henry (1887-1973), American inventor, nicknamed "Lady Edison," best known for her bobbin-free sewing machine, hair curler and vacuum ice cream freezer, she received 49 patents and had over 110 inventions
E. L. Henry (1936-2025), American politician, Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980
Clarence Henry II (1937-2024), known as Clarence "Frogman" Henry, an American rhythm and blues singer and pianist, best known for his hits "Ain't Got No Home" (1956) and "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do" (1961)
Thomas Christopher "Tom" Henry (1951-2024), American businessman and politician, 35th Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 2008 until his death, President and CEO of the Gallant Group, an insurance agency specializing in healthcare consulting
Brian Tyree Henry (b. 1982), American actor and Academy Award nominee and Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony award nominee, best known for his roles in Causeway (2022), Atlanta (2016–2022), This Is Us (2016-2022) and Bullet Train (2022)
John Raymond Henry (1943-2022), American sculptor, known for his huge welded steel works
Samuel William "Sam" Henry (1956-2022), American drummer, best known for his work with the punk rock group The Wipers, inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2011
... (Another 34 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Henry family +

Mount Mulligan Mine

John Henry, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

Dora Henrietta Henry (1932-1988), Scottish resident of Lockerbie from Scotland, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20
Maurice Peter Henry (1925-1988), Scottish resident of Lockerbie from Scotland, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 20

RMS Lusitania

Mrs. Catherine Henry, American 3rd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 21

RMS Titanic

Miss Bridget Delia Henry (d. 1912), aged 23, Irish Third Class passenger from Clonown, Roscommon who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22

SS Atlantic

Mr. James Henry, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. John W. Henry, American Ensign working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 23

USS Indianapolis

Earl O'Dell Henry, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 24

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew