Recorded in many forms including Emmerson, Emberson, Emerton, and Emberton, this is an English surname. However spelt it originates as a patronymic form of the pre 7th century Olde English name Amery, itself deriving from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements "amal", meaning brave or vigourous, and "ric", power. The first recording as a surname dates from circa 1182, when a Roger Hemeri was listed in the Cartulary of St. Mary's Clerkenwell in the county of Essex., whilst the patronymic Amery-son or Emery-son first appears as a surname in records of the 14th century. These early examples include William Emerson in the Charter of the Priory of Finchale in 1411, whilst Cuthbert Emerson is listed in the Register of the Freemen of the city of York, in 1498. Other recordings include John Emmerson who was an early emigrant to the American colonies, leaving London on the ship "Abigall" in July 1635, bound for New England, whilst John Emberton is recorded in the register of St Martins in the Field, westminster, on July 14th 1713.. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Emryson. This was was dated 1301, in the pipe rolls of Yorkshire during the reign of King Edward 1st of England , 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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