Emery
Derived from a Germanic personal name meaning "ruler" or "powerful."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 30,025 Americans carry the last name Emery. That puts it at #1,365 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.76 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 11,416 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Emery surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
30K
1 in 11,416
Census rank
#1,365
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
26K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 25,839 bearers of the surname Emery in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.76 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1365th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Emery, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.2%. The next largest groups are Black (5.6%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Emery
The surname Emery has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "aimeree," which means "beloved" or "affectionate." This name was initially used as a nickname or a descriptive term for someone with an amiable or loving personality.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Emery can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership and taxation in England compiled in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions an individual named Emericus, which is a Latin variation of the name Emery.
During the 12th century, the name Emery appeared in various historical records and documents across Europe. In England, the name was sometimes spelled as "Emery" or "Emmery," while in France, it was commonly written as "Émery" or "Aimery."
Notable individuals with the surname Emery include:
1. Jacques-André Émery (1732-1811), a French Catholic theologian and scholar who served as the Superior General of the Sulpician Fathers.
2. John Emery (1777-1838), an English actor and playwright known for his roles in Shakespearean plays.
3. Sarah Emery (1789-1867), an American missionary and educator who established schools for Native American children in the United States.
4. Ralph Emery (1933-2022), an American television host and personality best known for his work on the long-running country music television program "Nashville Now."
5. Dick Emery (1915-1983), an English comedian and actor who gained popularity for his television comedy series "The Dick Emery Show" in the 1970s.
The surname Emery has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout history. For example, the village of Emery in Somerset, England, is believed to have been named after a prominent family with the Emery surname who resided there in the past.
Overall, the surname Emery has a rich history dating back to medieval times, with its roots firmly planted in France. It has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, actors, missionaries, and entertainers, reflecting the widespread distribution and adoption of this name across different cultures and regions over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Emery
Among Census respondents with the surname Emery, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.2%. The next largest groups are Black (5.6%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Emery bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Emery surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.2%
- Black or African American5.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Emery surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,365 | #1,365 | 0.0% |
| Count | 25,839 | 25,839 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.76 | 8.76 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Emery bearers went from 25,839 to 25,839 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,365 to #1,365.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Emery
FAQ
Emery surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Emery?
The surname Emery holds position #1,365 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 30,025 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.76 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Emery surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Emery, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.2%. The next largest groups are Black (5.6%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.