Show ContentsNarramore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Narramore surname is a habitational name taken on from any of several places so named in Cornwall. The place names come from the Cornish words "nans," meaning "valley," and "carow," meaning "a stag." 1

Early Origins of the Narramore family

The surname Narramore was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Nancarrow. 2

"Nancarrow, in [the parish of St. Michael Penkevil], was in ancient times the seat of a family to whom it imparted its own name. This name is still known in Cornwall; but the residents of Nancarrow have long since become extinct. The old mansion which still exists, is inhabited by some of Lord Falmouth's labourers Tregonian or Treganyan, was also in former ages a seat belonging to a family, bearing its own name." 3

Early History of the Narramore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Narramore research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1790 is included under the topic Early Narramore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Narramore Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Nancarrow, Nancarro, Nancarroe, Nancarrowe and many more.

Early Notables of the Narramore family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Narramore Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Narramore family

In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Narramore Ellin Nancarro, who came to St. Christopher in 1634; John Nancarron, who settled in Philadelphia in 1803; and Walter Nancarrow, age 5, who was recorded in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871..


Contemporary Notables of the name Narramore (post 1700) +

  • Jan Narramore, American actress, known for Only with Married Men (1974)
  • Craig Narramore, American visual effects artist, known for Annihilation (2018), Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
  • Ruth Elliott Narramore (1923-2010), American editor of the Angel award winning Psychology For Living Magazine from 1982–1999
  • Dr. Clyde M. Narramore (1916-2015), American author of more than 100 books including the best sellers The Psychology of Counseling, The Encyclopedia of Psychological Problems, and This Way to Happiness
  • Evalyn Narramore, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2004
  • David A. Narramore, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 2008, 2012


  1. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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