Gentry

Gentry is an English surname that originated as a Norman French name, Gentile. The Normans were the people who conquered England in 1066 and brought with them many French influences, including their own names. The meaning of Gentry is "noble" or "well-born," which reflects the high social status of those who bore this surname. It originally referred to a person of gentle birth or noble rank, such as a member of the gentry class in England during the Middle Ages. The history of the name Gentry can be traced back to the 13th century when it was first recorded in England. Over time, it has evolved into various spelling variations including Gentrie, Gentrye, Gentri, and Gentrey, among others. Today, Gentry is used both as a surname and given name for boys. While its popularity peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s when it was often used as a middle name, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names. In summary, Gentry is an English surname of Norman French origin that means "noble" or "well-born." It has been used as both a surname and given name for boys since the Middle Ages and is still recognized today.