Full Idea
The standard interpretation holds that Aristotelian essences are species-essences, which are universal essences shared by all members of the same species.
Gist of Idea
Standardly, Aristotelian essences are taken to be universals of the species
Source
report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], ess) by Charlotte Witt - Substance and Essence in Aristotle Intro
Book Reference
Witt,Charlotte: 'Substance and Essence in Aristotle' [Cornell 1994], p.3
A Reaction
Her aim is to refute this standard view, in defence of the view that Aristotle really wanted to pinpoint individual essences. I think Witt is correct.