Impey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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 Impeys to arrive on North American shores:

Impey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Thomas Impey, who settled in Maryland in 1740 with his wife Alice

Impey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Robert Impey, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1833 3

Impey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Joseph Impey, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
• Mr. James Impey, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 12th December 1849, arriving in Norfolk Island and Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

• John Impey (d. 1829), English legal writer who for over sixty years a member of the Inner Temple, although he practised as an attorney at 3 Inner Temple Lane 6
• Andy Impey (b. 1971), English footballer
• Chris Impey, American Professor of Astronomy at Arizona University
• Sir Elijah Impey (1732-1809), British judge, Chief justice of Bengal, youngest son of Elijah Impey, by his second wife, Martha; his father possessed property at Fulham, about Uxbridge, and in the parish of Marylebone, and on his death in 1750 left considerable wealth to his three sons 6
• Sir Roderick Impey Murchison (1792-1871), British geologist, eponym of the Murchison crater on the moon