Aubrey
AW-bree
Aubrey is an old Germanic name tied to the idea of an elf-ruler or noble authority, later used as both a masculine and feminine name in English.
Meaning
In the excerpts, Aubrey is linked to the Germanic name Alberic/Albericus, which Yonge glosses as "elf ruler." The Charnock excerpt also points to forms derived from Albert/Albrecht and notes a later corruption into Aubrey. Historically, it entered English through medieval French and Latinized noble-name forms.
Origin
Old GermanicOld FrenchEnglishvaries by culture
Fun fact
Yonge notes that Aubrey became almost hereditary among the De Vere earls of Oxford.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.