The name Gentry is of English origin and is derived from the Old French word "genterie," which means "nobility" or "gentle birth." This name has its roots in the Middle Ages, when the concept of a hereditary class of landed gentry emerged in medieval England.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, the Norman conquest of England introduced a new social hierarchy, with the ruling class of Norman nobility at the top. The term "gentry" referred to the class of landowners and minor nobility who held a respected position in society, just below the ranks of the titled aristocracy.

While the name Gentry does not appear to have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is closely tied to the social and political structure of medieval England. The earliest recorded examples of the name can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries, when it was used to identify individuals belonging to the gentry class.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Gentry was Sir Thomas Gentry, an English knight who lived during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. Another prominent individual was John Gentry, a member of the English Parliament in the late 16th century, who played a role in the political turmoil surrounding the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, Edward Gentry was a prominent Puritan clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious and theological matters. His works, such as "The Blind Guyde" and "The Way of Truth and Peace," were influential during the English Civil War period.

During the 18th century, Marmaduke Gentry was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy and participated in several notable battles, including the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.

In the 19th century, Littleton Gentry was an American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee from 1839 to 1843.

These examples illustrate the long and storied history of the name Gentry, which has been associated with various notable figures from different walks of life throughout the centuries, reflecting its origins as a designation of social status and nobility.