The name Jory has its origins in the Old French language, stemming from the personal name Georgi or Jory, which was a variant of the more common name George. This name can be traced back to the Late Greek name Georgios, derived from the Greek words ge, meaning "earth," and ergon, meaning "work." As such, the name Jory carries the essence of one who works the land or has a connection to agriculture and the earth's bounty.

During the Middle Ages, the name Jory was particularly prevalent in regions of France and England, where it was often associated with rural communities and farming families. Records from this period indicate that the name was sometimes spelled as Jori, Jorre, or Jorry, reflecting the variations in regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jory can be found in the Domesday Book, a historic manuscript commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, the name appears as "Jori," referring to a landholder in the county of Wiltshire, England. This historical reference underscores the name's deep roots in the medieval era.

Throughout the centuries, several notable figures have borne the name Jory. In the 14th century, Jory de Cabane was a prominent French poet and troubadour, renowned for his lyrical works celebrating love and nature. Another noteworthy individual was Jory de Montfort, a 15th-century French knight who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War.

In the realm of literature, Jory Philipot was an English writer and translator who lived during the 16th century. His most notable work was a translation of the Roman philosopher Seneca's "De Clementia" into English, which contributed to the dissemination of classical knowledge during the Renaissance period.

Moving into more modern times, Jory Graham was a 19th-century American artist and painter, known for his landscapes and depictions of Native American life. His works are now part of the collections of renowned museums, such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

One of the most prominent figures bearing the name Jory was Jory Vinikour, a 20th-century Russian-American dancer and choreographer. Born in 1919, Vinikour was a pioneer in the field of modern dance and founded the Jory Vinikour Dance Company, which toured extensively and brought contemporary dance to audiences around the world.