Dobrée

Origin of Surname

The surname Dobrée is derived from the French d’Aubrée meaning grove of white poplars (see Derivation of Jersey Surnames).

The common ancestor of the Dobrées in Guernsey is said to have arrived from Vitre in Normandy in 1554

During the 18th – 19th century, the Dobrée family were among the island elite, and members of the family were successful merchants, clergymen and politicians. They also intermarried with other leading families including the Le Mesurier and Carey families.

The name is now extinct in Guernsey, the remaining members of this family emigrating to England in the early 20th century

Variants

• Dobree
• D'Aubrée

Related Places

• Beau Séjour – built by Henry Dobrée in the early 18th century

Notable Islanders

• Peter Paul Dobrée (1782-1825), Greek scholar
• Lt Col Mervyn Dobrée Carey (1877-1945)
• Thomas & Nicholas Dobrée, Jurats in 1771
• Nicholas and Peter Dobrée (entrepreneurs) and Isaac (subscriber) in 1773 to Assembly Rooms
• Nicolas Dobrée – who built Old Government House Hotel in 1780
• Samuel Dobrée, merchant
• Rev William Dobrée, Rector of St Saviours, 1782
• Elisha Dobrée, diarist