This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the cherry,' from residence by a cherry-tree; compare Crabtree, Chestnut, Oake, Ash, Nash, &c. Middle English chtry or chiri.

William Chirie, Derbyshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

William Chery, Close Rolls, 21 Henry VI.

1569. Married — William Cherve and Alyce Foxe: St. Michael, Cornhill.

1606.— Henrie Cherrie and Joane Fenner: St. James, Clerkenwell.

Henry Cherry, 1701: Exchequer Depositions by Commission, Cheshire.

1788. Married — John Cherry and Rebecca Holdsworth: St. George's Chapel, Mayfair.

Adam Chery who held land in Ayr, 1348, (Friars Ayr, p. 17) is doubtless the Ade Chiry who forfeited lands in the sheriffdom of Arne in 1368 (RMS., I, 239). Stephen Cherie had confirmation of a charter of the lands of Kinbruin and Badecashe in the barony of Rothienorman, 1380 (Ilius III, p. 552). Johannes Chery was burgess of Ayr, 1415, William Chere, burgess in 1454, and John Chery, bailie of Arne, 1460 (Ayr, p. 9, II, 16, 87). William Chere was member of Ayr Guild c. 1431 (Coll. AGAA., I. p. 228). John Churrie, merchant burgess in Glasgow, 1623 (Burgesses), William Churrie in Burnefit, parish of Dumfries, 1638 (Dumfries), Alexander Chirray appears in Drumwharne of Killearn, 1715 (Stirling), and William Cherry was keeper of the toll-bar on the road to Greenock, 1798 (Campsie). Chime 1649. The surname gave name to Chyrrelands (Ayr, 67).

This is an English name of comparatively recent introduction into Ireland — the first I have noted is Edward Cherrye “gent” of Dublin whose will was proved in 1613.Though isolated families of the name were living in Counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it has always been rare outside east Ulster, where it has been fairly numerous since 1680. Two well known persons of the name were Andrew Cherry (1762 - 1812) dramatist, actor and writer of popular songs-“the Dear Little Shamrock” etc.-and Judge Richard Robert Cherry (l859 – 1923).

(Anglo-French-Latin) 1 Beloved [French chéri, beloved, cherished; from Latin car-us, dear] 2 Dweller at a Cherry-Tree [Middle English chert, for cheris, Old French c(h)erise, Latin ceras-us]

An English name fairly numerous in Ulster since the seventeenth century. SIF 32

(English) Dweller at, or near, a cherry tree; a beloved person.

Of French Huguenot origin, and said to be descended from the family of De Cheries, seigneurs of Brauvel, Beauval, &c., in Normandy. B.L.G. Cheris is a place near Avranches. The name is latinized De Ceraso.

Lower says this name is of French Huguenot origin, and said to be descended from the family of De Cheries, seigneurs of Brauvel, Beauval, &c., in Normandy; that Chéris is the name of a place near Avranches; and that the name is Latinised De Ceraso. There is, however, a parish called Cherry-Hinton co. Cambridge. But see Sherry.

1. from De Cersaso, otherwise De Cerasio, or Cericio, Normandy (Lower). The early form was De Cerisy. John de C. and William de C. had a suit for land, Suffolk, c. 1200 (Palgr. Rot. Cur. Regis). In 13th cent. the heir of the latter held lands in capite (Testa de Neville) in Notts. 2. Also from Cheeri. William Cheeri of Normandy, 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae).

From the Flemish, Cherwy; a personal name.