The Gentry Family History

What Does the Gentry Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Gentry has its roots in both French and English traditions, deriving from the Old French words ‘gentil’ and ‘genterie,’ which denote an individual of noble lineage or high social standing. Variants of the name Gentry include Jendry, Gentiry, Gentric, Gentil, Jentry, and Guntrey. In England, bearers of the Gentry surname are predominantly located in the central and eastern regions, with the highest concentrations found in Essex and London. In Scotland, the majority of gentry families are situated in Perthshire county. In the United States, Gentry families trace their origins to states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Notable individuals with this surname include Dennis Gentry (a professional baseball player), Robert Gentry (an actor), Teddy Gentry (a musician), Minnie Gentry (an actress), Bobbie Gentry (a singer and songwriter), Curt Gentry (an author), Gary Gentry (another professional baseball player), and Alistair Gentry (a writer of science fiction).