If your name is Hambrick, you have an interesting family history. For centuries, most people used only one name to identify themselves. As the population began increasing, the need for more identification also became increasingly apparent, especially in small towns, clans, and villages where perhaps 1/3 of the males were named James or some other popular name.

And so to distinguish one James from another, a second name was desired. The four main sources for these names were: 1) a man's occupation or trade, such as Cook, Tanner, or Hunter. 2) his father's name, Robertson, Jackson, or Davidson. 3) his locale, such as Jesus of "Nazareth," Thomas "Uphill," or William "Groves." 4) even his characteristics or looks might be used, i.e. James Legg, William Redman, or John Fox.

Sometimes extra identification was needed for certain groups. The fighting men of the Middle Ages were known to wear a metal suit of armor for protection. More than likely, this same suit of armor included a helmet that completely covered the head, making the warrior unrecognizable.

To prevent a friend from attacking his ally during battle, it became very important for each knight to somehow identify himself. Many fighters accomplished this by painting colorful designs on their shields.

These same designs were also sewn into cloth surcoats which were placed over a fighter's suit of armor, giving him his family crest or what is known as the "Coat of Arms." The Hambrick's wore theirs into battles in which they engaged.

To prevent duplication of the patterns, records were kept that granted the privilege of wearing a certain crest to a particular fighter and this right was extended down to his family. Many times these patterns were recorded in ancient record books.

So where did the Hambrick family come from? Let's begin at the beginning. From all of the records on hand, it would appear that the Hambrick family descended from the Norman race. It was thought the family derived from French origin but they were actually of Viking descent.

The year 870 A.D. shows the Vikings landing in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland under their leader, Stirgus the Stout. In 910 A.D. under their Earl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France. When Rollo laid siege to Paris, the French King, Charles the Simple, finally conceded to defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the so called new territory of the North men. Rollo married the daughter of Charles and eventually converted to Christianity.

In 1066 Duke William, a descendant of the first Duke of Normandy, invaded and defeated England. In 1086 he took a census of most of England and recorded it in the Domesday Book. It became the authority, the point of departure, for the ownership of land in England. A family name capable of being traced back to this document, or to Hastings, was a signal honor for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The research from many ancient manuscripts and documents shows the first record of the surname of Hambrick to be found in the English counties of Gloucester, Worcestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon in England's west country, where they were granted lands shortly after the Norman Conquest by King William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. Their family seats were at Knightshaven Court in Devon, Codrington in Gloucester, and St.Anns in Bristol.

William D'Amore b. 1027 in Normandy, his son Gilbert D'Amore b. 1058 and his son Gilbert D Amory b. 1094 in England are also to be found. Some of the surname later spread to Scotland and County Clare in Ireland and occupied Bunratty Castle.

In the 12th century many Norman families moved to Scotland, following the train of Earl of Huntingdon, who would later become King David of Scotland. The surname Hambrick contributed much to local social and political life and to the affairs of England.

In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, England and Scotland were ravaged by the religious and political conflict which brought about many injustices to the people. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religion was divided by the Church of State, the Roman Church and the Reform Church.

Each faction, in its time, imposed its influence, assessments, tithes and penalties on the rich and poor alike. The spirit of the people were broken forcing many to turn away from the church.

Loyalties were engineered, marriages were arranged to acquire greater possessions, estates and influence at court. Many families were encouraged to migrate to Ireland, or to the Colonies. Non believers and dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.

The unrest caused many to think seriously of migrating to distant lands. The rumors and stories of the attractions of the New World spread throughout the world. Many immigrants sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships known as the white sails which plied the stormy Atlantic seas.

These overcrowded ships were pestilence ridden, with sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, decimated by illness and the elements.

Hambrick? Hamric? Amrick? Well, what's in a name? Whatever the variation in spelling we are all still from the same family. As one researches the Hambrick family name, various spellings emerge like Hambrick, Hamric, Amric, Hemric, Hamerick, Amorick, Amory, Amery, Ammory, Ammery, Emery and more.

It is believed the first of our bloodline in North America was the emigrant Patrick Hamrick. He was born in Ireland and his name was first recorded as Patrick Anminer. Later, it was changed to Hamrick and some of his son's and their descendants used Hambrick.

Patrick Hamrick was born abt.1684 and died in King George County Virginia in 1764. It is reported he married  Margaret English

Patrick Hamrick first appears in colonial Virginia records as a witness to a land conveyance on March 30, 1719 between John Berry and Henry Berry in Hanover County, Virginia. Patrick witnessed a Deed of Gift in King George County VA February 4, 1725. (Deed Book 1, p.330).

Patrick Hamricks's occupation was a "cooper," skilled barrel maker). It was a skill highly in demand in the Virginia colony complementing the production of tobacco. Any tobacco product made in Virginia had to be casked for shipment to it's market. Patrick indentured himself many times to well established Virginia planters, to obtain either cash or land in return for his services in the making of barrels. He was indentured in King George County VA on January 6, 1726 (Deed Book 1, pp.411-413). He and his wife Margaret were indentured for the farm where they lived in King George County (Deed book 1-A pp.304-305).

He obtained a 118 acre land grant from Thomas Lord Fairfax in Prince William County December 10, 1740. He had applied for this grant January 10, 1739 as heir of Roger Day. In a September 3, 1739 entry in King George County Deed Book 2, p.300, Patrick and Roger Day are identified as shipmates and cousins.

It is not clear when and where Patrick and Roger Day were shipmates. They may have traveled together from Europe or they may have been part of the crew on any of several ships sailing out of Virginia at that time.

Patrick is enlisted in the 1741 Poll of Burgesses of Prince William County, indicating that he was a land owner and more than 21 years of age. In a 1747 poll of residents of Western Dettingham Parish in Prince William County Virginia, Patrick Sr., Benjamin, Patrick Jr., Robert, and James Hamrick are all living side by side.
Known children of Patrick and Margaret;

1.Rebecca Hamrick, b.1721 m. James Bridges
2.Benjamin Hamrick, b. Abt. 1729 in Hanover Parrish, King George County, Virginia; died abt.1787 in Prince William County, Virginia.
3. Patrick Hamrick Jr., b. abt.1730
4. Robert Hamrick, d. May 23, 1757.
5. James Hamrick, m. Priscilla.
6. John Hamrick, d. November 28, 1757 m. Sarah.
7.Joseph Hamrick, m. Margaret Burris.
(our bloodline)

Joseph Hamrick was born about 1732 in King George, Virginia, and married Margaret Burris. She was born in 1729. Joseph died in July, 1792 in Greene, Georgia. Children of Joseph and Margaret;
1. Savannah Hambrick, b. 1751 d. 1792.
2. Joseph Benjamin Hambrick, b. 1753 d. 1826. (our bloodline)
3. Robert Hambrick, b. 1755 d. 1826.
4. Thomas Hambrick, b. 1757 d. 1798.
5. Margaret May Hambrick, b. 1761.
6. Ann Hambrick, b. 1763.
7. Elizabeth Hambrick, b. 1763 d. 1788.
8. Sarah Hambrick, b. 1765.

Joseph Benjamin Hambrick was born about 1753 at Prince William, Virginia, and married Frances Otey. She was born in 1755. Joseph died about 1826. Children of Joseph and Frances;
1. Joseph Hambrick, b. 1780.
2. John Hambrick. b. 1785 d. 1838.
3. James Hambrick, b. 1788. (our bloodline)

James Hambrick was born about 1788 in Virginia and was married to Mary Crawford on Oct. 12, 1807 in Botetourt, Virginia. She was born in 1787. Children of James and Mary;
1. John K. Hambrick, b. 1815 d. 1873. (our bloodline)
2. James Otey Hambrick, b. 1818.

John K. Hambrick was born in 1815 and was married to Lucretia Pickett on February 11, 1840 at Botetourt, Virginia. She was born in 1820 and died on 1909. John K. Hambrick died in 1873. Children of John and Lucretia;
1. William S. Hambrick, b. 1841. (our bloodline)
2. Sarah Elizabeth Hambrick, b. 1843.
3. John Griffith Hambrick, b. 1846 d. 1917.
4. James Pickett Hambrick, b. 1851.
5. Emily L. Hambrick, b. 1856.
6. George Hambrick, b. 1857.

William S. Hambrick was born about 1841. His wife's name was Mary. She was born in 1842. Children of William S. and Mary;
1. Alfred Hambrick, b. 1864.
2. Ira Ellis Hambrick, b. 1865.
3. William Hambrick, b. 1867 d. 1894.
4. Mary Hambrick, b. 1868.
5. Ellie Hambick, b. 1868.
6. Leander E. "Pete" Hambrick, b. 1872 d. 1913. (our bloodline)
7. Infant Hambrick, b. 1873 d. 1873.
8. Spurgeon Hambrick, b. 1874.
9. Lizzie Hambrick, b. 1874.
10. Talmage Hambrick. b. 1874.
11. Everette "Bunt" Hambrick, b. 1874.
12. Charlotte Hambrick, b. 1874.

Leander Hambrick was born Feb. 1, 1872. His wife's name was Virginia. He died February 12, 1913. Children of Leander and Virginia;
1. Una Hambrick
2. Eva Evelyn Hambrick, b. 1900 d. 1987. (our bloodline)
3. Everette Hambrick
4. William "Dick" Hambrick

Eva was born on June 27, 1900 in Mason County, West Virginia. She married George F. Petry. He was born Aug. 3, 1889 in Fayette County, West Virginia. They were married on February 18, 1920. Eva died on March 3, 1987. George died on Dec. 10, 1960. Children of Eva and George;
1. Virginia "Toots" Petry
2. George Henry Petry b. 1926 d. 1997 (my bloodline)
3. Charles Franklin "Buddy" Petry.

George Henry Petry was born on April 5, 1926 in Fayette County, West Virginia. He married Imelda Dexter who was born on May 5, 1928. They were married on Dec. 10, 1948. Children of George and Imelda;
1. Carolyn Kay Petry
2. Sharon Lynn Petry
3. Linda Marie Petry

This completes the Hambrick family records based on the information I have collected to date. None of this is set in stone. Typos in names, spelling, and dates are possible since several sources were used in creating this report. May you find this information delightful, educational, and informative.

Carolyn (Hambrick) Rexroad

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