Humphries

Humphries is a surname of English origin, a variant spelling related to Humphreys and derived from the given name Humphrey. The given name Humphrey is of medieval Germanic origin and became established in England after the Norman Conquest, entering surnames as a patronymic form meaning “son of Humphrey.” Over time, local spelling practices produced several related surnames, among them Humphries, Humphreys, and related variants.

Geographically, the surname originated in the British Isles and spread with British and Irish emigration. In the modern era, Humphries and its close variants are found throughout the English-speaking world, with notable presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The spelling Humphries is commonly encountered in these regions, reflecting historical regional preferences and family lineages.

In usage, Humphries is a family name used by numerous individuals across various public and private fields, including politics, sports, arts, science, and business. As with many patronymic surnames, bearers may trace origins to different, potentially unrelated ancestral lines that adopted the name over centuries.

See also: Humphreys (surname), Humphrey (given name).