Show ContentsMarry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Marry

What does the name Marry mean?

Marry is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest brought to England in 1066. The Marry family lived in Norfolk. Their name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Meret, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Marry family

The surname Marry was first found in Norfolk. However, some of the family were found at Stow-Maries in Essex. "This parish takes the adjunct to its name from the family of Marey, to whom the lands at one time belonged." 1

Early History of the Marry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marry research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1605, 1660 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Marry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marry Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Merry, Mirrey, Merrie, Mirrie and others.

Early Notables of the Marry family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Marry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Marry family to Ireland

Some of the Marry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Marry migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Marry or a variant listed above:

Marry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Marry, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 2
Marry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Marry, who landed in America in 1807 2
  • John Marry, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 2

Marry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Marry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Ann Marry, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833

Marry migration to Australia +

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

Marry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Jessie Marry, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Boyne" in 1850 3


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque BOYNE 1850, 521 tons. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Boyne.htm


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