Show ContentsMoore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Moore Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Moore

What does the name Moore mean?

There are several distinct sources of the Moore surname in Ireland. Most of the name find their roots with the Anglo-Norman "Strongbow" invasion of the 12th century. Many of these became de Mora. Others derived from the Old Irish "O Mordha," from the word "mordha," meaning "stately," or "noble." 1 The English surname Moore is derived from the personal name "More," which is itself derived from the Old French word "maur," meaning "Moor."

Early Origins of the Moore family

The surname Moore was first found in Munster, where the name was firmly established shortly after the Strongbow invasion of Ireland in 1172. 1

'Aimergin Ua Mordha, A.D. 1026.' O'Mordha is Anglicised O'More and More, which has now usually become Moore, The O'Mores were a powerful sept in Ireland." 2

"Donal Mór (d. 1194), son of Turlough, was the last King of North Munster. " (O'Hart) The Guinness or MacGunness family claim descent from Cionga, son of Rory Mór and had a similar coat of arms complete with a gold lion on a green shield denoting their heritage.

Moore or O'Moore were the hereditary Lords of Leix. Of this branch was Charles O'More who had a younger brother named Rory Oge who in 1587 was slain by the English.

The Moores of Rahinduffe, Queen's County are a branch of this previous family. Of note was Anthony O'Moore who joined with the O'Neills and defeated the English army in 1598. (O'Hart)

Early History of the Moore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moore research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1600, 1620, 1621, 1627, 1641, 1655, 1700, 1703, 1706, 1729, 1730, 1767, 1791, 1795, 1798, 1799 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Moore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moore Spelling Variations

During the lifetime of an individual person, his name was often spelt by church officials and medieval scribes the way it sounded. An examination of the many different origins of each name has revealed many spelling variations for the name: Moore, More, Moor, O'More, Moores, Mores, McMore, Moire, Moare, MacMoore, McMoir, Moir, Moors, O'Moore, O'Moire, McMoare, MacMoir, MacMoare, Mooer and many more.

Early Notables of the Moore family

  • Rory O'Moore (Roger O'Moore, O'More, Sir Roger Moore) (c.1600-1655), an Irish landowner of ancient lineage, most notable for being one of the four principal organizers of the Irish Rebellion of 1641
  • John Moore (c.1767-1799) was an Irish statesman and rebel leader in the rebellion of 1798, he was President of the Republic of Connaught, before being captured by the English
  • James Moore (d. 1706), British military officer of Irish descent, and colonial Governor of South Carolina between 1700 and 1703

Moore World Ranking

the United States, the name Moore is the 9th most popular surname with an estimated 775,944 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Moore is ranked the 31st most popular surname with an estimated 46,790 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Moore is the 657th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Moore as 75th with 363 people. 6 France ranks Moore as 8,256th with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 7 Australia ranks Moore as 36th with 45,880 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Moore as 40th with 5,529 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Moore as 31st with 104,565 people. 10 South Africa ranks Moore as 860th with 8,126 people. 11

Moore migration to the United States +

Ireland's Great Potato Famine left the country's inhabitants in extreme poverty and starvation. Many families left their homeland for North America for the promise of work, freedom and land ownership. Although the Irish were not free of economic and racial discrimination in North America, they did contribute greatly to the rapid development of bridges, canals, roads, and railways. Eventually, they would be accepted in other areas such as commerce, education, and the arts. An examination of immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Moore:

Moore Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Leonard Moore, (More) who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 13
  • Richard Moore, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1620 14
  • Mr. John Moore, aged 24, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "planter" 13
  • Mr. Thomas Moore, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 15
  • Isaac Moore (1622-1705), who immigrated to America aboard the Increase in 1635 to become one of the founding settlers of Norwalk, Connecticut and served in the General Court of the Connecticut Colony from Norwalk in the October 1657 session
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Moore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Cornelius Moore, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 14
  • Aaron Moore, who immigrated to Virginia in 1744
  • William Moore, who emigrated from Ireland to New England in 1745
  • Colin Moore, listed as a Scot banished to the America colonies in 1747
  • Charles Moore, a bonded passenger who settled in America in 1749
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Moore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alex Moore, who sailed to America from Northern Ireland in 1805
  • Patrick Moore, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1808 14
  • Ann Moore, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1812
  • Adam Moore, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1812 14
  • David Moore, aged 30, who landed in South Carolina in 1812 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Moore Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. James Henry Moore, (b. 1884), aged 19, Cornish decorator travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 16
  • Mr. Joseph Moore, (b. 1882), aged 23, American miner returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Allegan, Michigan, USA 16
  • Mr. Henry Moore, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish mason travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to New York, USA 16
  • Mr. Samuel James Moore, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish settler, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th April 1905 en route to Painesdale, Michigan, USA 16

Moore migration to Canada +

Moore Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Moore, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Ann Moore, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Daniel Moore, who arrived in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
  • Mr. John Moore U.E. born in Massachusetts, USA from Massachusetts, USA who settled in St. John River, New Brunswick c. 1783 he went with the British Army to Halifax in 1776 17
  • Mr. Robert Moore U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Moore Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Moore, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1821
  • Mary A Moore, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1826
  • Andrew Moore, his wife Sarah and their four children, who settled in Canada from Ulster in 1831
  • Alfred Moore, who arrived in Canada in 1832
  • Henry Moore, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moore migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Moore, Jr., British settler convicted at Warwickshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing corn, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Job Moore, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. John Moore, (1768 - 1842), aged 22, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a handkerchief, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. William Moore, British settler convicted in Devon, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. William Moore, (b. 1757), aged 30, English settler convicted in London on 12th January 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. Henry Moore, British seaman on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
  • Mr. Samuel Moore, British ship's steward on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMAT Supply" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Moore Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Abraham Moore, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Miss Elizabeth Moore, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Moore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Moore migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Moore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Moore, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Delhi" arriving in New Zealand in 1840 24
  • Mr. George Moore, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 24
  • Frederick George Moore, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 25
  • Mr. Moore, Australian settler travelling from Newcastle, New South Wales aboard the ship "Eagle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 6th October 1842 24
  • James Moore, aged 28, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Moore (post 1700) +

  • Demi Moore (b. 1962), née Guynes, legendary American multiple award winning film actress, known for Blame It on Rio (1984), St. Elmo's Fire (1985), and About Last Night... (1986), Ghost (1990) and many more
  • Gordon Earle Moore (1929-2023), American co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Intel Corporation, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, perhaps best known for identifying Moore's Law which noted that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled every year since their invention
  • Gary Autry Moore Jr. (1938-2025), American high school football head coach in the state of Texas, retired after completing the 2011 season with a career head coaching record of 422-86-9, the most in Texas high school football history, in 44 seasons as a head football coach, won six outright state championships, and two co-championships for Celina and Pilot Point combined
  • Clayton Moore (1914-1999), born Jack Carlton Moore, an American actor best known for playing the fictional Western character the Lone Ranger from 1949 to 1952 and 1953 to 1957 on the television series of the same name
  • Donald Graham "Don" Moore (1938-2025), American jazz double-bassist, played and recorded with Archie Shepp, Don Cherry and others in the New York Contemporary Five in Europe in 1963
  • J. B. Moore (1943-2025), American music producer, with Robert Ford Jr. helped produce and write records for Kurtis Blow (1970s-1980s)
  • Samuel David Moore (1935-2025), American singer known as a member of Sam & Dave
  • Charles Wesley Moore (b. 1940), American former college football coach and player
  • Jasmine Moore (b. 2001), American athlete, bronze medal winner at the 2024 Summer Olympics
  • ... (Another 88 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Samuel Theodore Moore (1956-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
  • Douglas William Moore (1919-1943), Australian Corporal who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Mr. Charles Alwyn Moore (d. 1914), British 3rd Officer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • Miss Hazel May  Moore (1908-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 28
  • Master Gerald  Moore (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 29
  • ... (Another 58 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Moore Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Conlan-a-bu
Motto Translation: Conlan forever.

Suggested Readings for the name Moore +

  • The Benjamin Moore Family of Burlington County, New Jersey by Edmund E. Moore.
  • The Cary-Estes-Moore Genealogy by Helen Estes Seltzer.
  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
  2. Moore, A.W., Manx Names. London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1906. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  17. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  23. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
  24. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  25. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  26. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  27. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  28. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance

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