A Welsh surname, Humphrey comes from the Old French name of ‘humfrey’. The original German name meant peace. Variations in spelling for Humphrey include Homfray, Humfrey, Humphris, Humphereys, Humphryes, Humphries and Humfies. In England the original Humphrey families lived in Denbighshire in Wales. Then to the eastern coast of England along Kent, Sussex, Middlesex, Essex and Surrey is where many with the Humphrey name have lived. They are in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In Scotland the Humphrey name is mostly in Midlothian, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. Within the United States the Humphrey families originated in Illinois, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, California, Georgia, New Jersey, Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Famous: Doris Humphrey (modern dance pioneer), Ryan Humphrey (professional basketball player), Hubert H. Humphrey (U. S. Vice President with President Johnson), Terin Humphrey (champion gymnast), Scott Humphrey (music record producer), Claude Humphrey (professional football player) and Jake Humphrey (television personality).