Ormerod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Ormerod is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in a clearing in a wood. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name Ormr and the Old English word rod, which meant "forest clearing." The name as a whole means "clearing of a man named Ormr." The original bearer lived in or near a clearing known by this name.

Early Origins of the Ormerod family

The surname Ormerod was first found in Lancashire where the first recorded ancestor was Matthew de Hormerodes, living about 1270. 1

Early History of the Ormerod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ormerod research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1653 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Ormerod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ormerod Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ormerod are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Ormerod include: Ormerod, Omerod, Omrod, Ormrod and others.

Early Notables of the Ormerod family

Notables of the family at this time include

George Ormerod, fourth son of Peter Ormerod, of Ormerod, who died in 1653...

Ormerod migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ormerod or a variant listed above:

Ormerod Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William Robert Ormerod, aged 26, who arrived in America from Burnley, England, in 1904
Geo. Thomas Ormerod, aged 27, who arrived in America from Castleton, England, in 1905
Arthur Ormerod, aged 41, who arrived in America from Bury, England, in 1907
George Ormerod, aged 30, who arrived in America from Rochdale, England, in 1908
Henry Ormerod, aged 24, who arrived in America from Blackpool, England, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ormerod migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ormerod Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Harry Ormerod, aged 40, who arrived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1914
James McManus Ormerod, aged 48, who arrived in Niagara Falls, Canada, in 1922
Elizabeth Ellen Ormerod, aged 46, who arrived in Niagara Falls, Canada, in 1922

Contemporary Notables of the name Ormerod (post 1700) +

Cyril Berkeley Ormerod (1897-1983), English cricketer
Professor Stephen J. Ormerod Ormerod FCIEEM, FLSW, FSB,, English Professor of ecology and Chair of the Council of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Denis Leonard Ormerod CBE (1923-2005), English career soldier in the British Army, Brigadier Ulster Defence Regiment in July 1971
Sir Benjamin Ormerod (1890-1974), English lawyer and Justice of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court of England and Wales (1948)
Edward Ormerod (1834-1894), English mining engineer who developed and patented the "Ormerod" safety link or detaching hook, also known as a "butterfly"
Samuel Ormerod (1848-1906), English football player, referee and manager
Mark Ian Ormerod (b. 1976), English former professional footballer
Anthony Ormerod (b. 1979), English football midfielder
George Ormerod (1785-1873), English antiquary and historian
Eleanor Anne Ormerod (1828-1901), English entomologist, daughter of George Ormerod
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.