The Drury Family History

What Does the Drury Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Drury, of English origin, traces its roots back to the Norman invasion of 1066, during which it was introduced from France. The ancestral families bearing this name hailed from Rouvray, and the designation evolved from the Old French word ‘druerie,’ which translates to friendship and affection. Variants of the surname Drury include Drewry, Drewrie, Drurie, and Drewery. Initially, the Drury families settled in Suffolk before a significant number relocated to Ireland. Those who remained in England established themselves in various counties, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Kent, Essex, and Lancashire, as well as in the city of London. In Scotland, Drury families were known to inhabit Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Midlothian, and Angus. In the United States, the Drury name is predominantly found in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Kentucky, Illinois, California, and Missouri. Noteworthy individuals bearing this surname include Allen Stuart Drury, a novelist awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1960; Alfred Briscoe Drury, a distinguished English sculptor; Tom Drury, an accomplished author; Chris Drury, a professional ice hockey player; Newton B. Drury, who served as the director of the U. National Park Service; Shane Drury, a professional rodeo bull rider; James C. Drury, a television actor; and Adam Drury, a professional footballer from England.