Surname Quarry - Meaning and Origin
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Quarry: What does the surname Quarry mean?
The last name Quarry has various possible origins. It may have originated from the Old French word 'quarreier' which means 'to dig'. This could indicate that the family were originally stone masons or miners. Alternatively, it could be derived from the French word 'Cara' which means a 'rock quarry'. This suggests that the family may have been landowners of a quarry, or even quarrymen themselves.
Another possible origin for the name is geographically based. This is because the word 'quarry' has been used to denote both a natural hole in the ground formed by water erosion, and a man-made excavation at least since the 11th century in England. As such, the name Quarry could be a habitational name referring to someone who hailed from a place known as 'The Quarry'.
Whatever the origin of the last name Quarry, it has been used to indicate a family with a proud history. Depending on which origin is correct, they could refer to strength, craftsmanship, and teamwork. The Quarrys have likely been involved in some of the most important projects of their time, playing an integral role in their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisQuarry: Where does the name Quarry come from?
The last name Quarry is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 11th century and can be found in the county of Lancashire. It is believed that Quarry derived from the Old English word 'hergian', meaning to make a foray or to engage in open warfare.
During the 19th century, the Quarry name spread to other parts of the United Kingdom, especially to Ireland and Scotland. In Scotland the name is more commonly found along the western coast in counties such as Argyll and Bute.
In the 20th century, many people bearing the surname Quarry immigrated to the United States, Canada and other countries around the world. According to the 1990 United States Census, Quarry was the 888th most popular surname in the United States, with an estimated 5,042 people bearing the name at that time.
In terms of modern-day prevalence, the Quarry name is still very commonplace in the United Kingdom. As of the 2011 United Kingdom Census, the name is the 568th most common overall in England and Wales, and the 392nd most common in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Quarry
The surname Quarry is of English or Irish origin and is derived from the Old French word 'quaire', meaning a square excavation or open-air mine. Variants and alternate spellings of Quarry include Quary, Quarre, Quarrie, Quarrey, Quire, Quyres, Quaires and Qurrey. It is also common to see the surname variations Quarr, Quarrye, Querii and Qurri.
The Irish Gaelic forms of the name are MacCuairr, MacGuarr, MacCuarta, O'Cuain, O'Quair, O'Quay, O'Quarri and O'Quear.
In some cases, people with the same ancestry and the same family name may have different spellings or surnames. The practice of changing a name’s spelling or surnames to reflect a different pronunciation, or to adjust a name to fit a particular language, culture or immigration destination is known as name "Americanization." For example, the surname Quarry may become the surnames Quarley, Quarles or Quarles, all of which derive from the same surname.
Some other variant spellings derived from the surname Quarry include Quar, Quineri, Querra, Quiros, Kuyr, Quir, Cuar and Cuaire. A rare and archaic version of the surname Quarry is Quarel, which is thought to have been used in Suffolk in the 13th century.
In some cases, multiple spellings of the same surname may have different meanings. For example, the surname Quarrel was initially a nickname which derived from the Old French word “querre or quarre,” meaning square or four-sided. Later, the name became associated with quarrels, or arguments and disputes.
In conclusion, the surname Quarry has many variants and alternate spellings derived from its Old French origins, including Quary, Quarre, Quarrie, Quarrey, Quire, Quyres, Quaires, Qurrey, Quarr, Quarrye, Querii, Qurri, MacCuairr, MacGuarr, MacCuarta, O'Cuain, O'Quair, O'Quay, O'Quarri, O'Quear, Quarley, Quarles, Quarles, Quar, Quineri, Querra, Quiros, Kuyr, Quir, Cuar and Cuaire. The rare and archaic version of the surname Quarry is Quarel.
Famous people with the name Quarry
- Leonard Quarry, American professional boxer
- Fr. Glen Quarry, Catholic priest and former collegiate football player
- Ebenezer Quarry, playwright
- Tip Quarry, American politician
- Randy Quarry, American mixed martial artist
- June Quarry, vocalist and human rights activist
- Mark Quarry, American football coach
- Ryder Quarry, American actor
- Syria Quarry, Native American chief of the Penobscot Nation
- Christopher Quarry, German soldier and footballer