Contents [hide]

Orr History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Orr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The story of the Orr family is rich with Scottish history. It begins in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada where Orr evolved as a name for some who lived on a bank, or on the edge of a hill. The Orr surname arose independently from different sources. In some instances, it came from the Old English word ora, which means "edge" and was probably a name for someone who lived on a bank, or on the edge of a hill. Orr also came form the Old Norse name Orri, which meant "black rooster." 1 It also emerged from the Gaelic word, odhar, which meant "pale" and would have been a nickname that became a surname. 2

Early Origins of the Orr family

The surname Orr was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland.

"It is a numerous name in the West end of the shire of Renfrew in the parish of Lochwinnoch. Hew Orr rendered homage in 1296 [to King Edward I of England]. Four persons named Or were summoned to answer charges made against them by the abbot of Paisley, 1503. John Or was witness in Glasgow, 1550, Matthew Ore in Paisley, 1654, and James Orre in Barneth, 1678." 3

There are also scattered entries for the family in England. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Egidiu de Or in Kent and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Matilda Orre; and Johannes Ore. 4

Roger Orre was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1202 and William Orre was listed at Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1277. Robert Orre was found in Kent in the Subsidy Rolls for 1334-1335. Agnes de Ore was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Wiltshire, 1210-1211 and Peter de Ore was found in Warwickshire, 1264-1265. William de Ore was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Kent in 1334-1335. 5

And to the far south of England in Devon, "the original Cathedral of Crediton was dedicated to the Virgin, and stood on or near the site of the present Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross. Herein it is recorded that on the 1st of August, 1315, one Thomas Orey, of Keynesham, who had been totally blind, recovered his sight after spending two days in prayer before the altar of St. Nicholas. Bishop Stapledon, being satisfied of the truth of the miracle, ordered the bells to be rung and a solemn thanksgiving offered, and set forth the event in his 'Register.' " 6

Early History of the Orr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Orr research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1503, 1512, 1550, 1578, 1613, 1640, 1654, 1678, 1717, 1740, 1748, 1770, 1797, 1798, 1816 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Orr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Orr Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Orr include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. Orr, Ore, Orre, Orey and others.

Early Notables of the Orr family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Hugh Orr (1717-1798), Scottish born inventor, son of Robert Orr of Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, born at Lochwinnoch on 13 Jan...

Orr World Ranking

In the United States, the name Orr is the 636^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Orr is ranked the 840^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,371 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Orr is the 592^nd popular surname with an estimated 6,578 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Orr as 466^th with 1,472 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Orr as 694^th with 9,623 people. 11

Migration of the Orr family to Ireland

Some of the Orr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 210 words (15 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Orr migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Orrs to arrive on North American shores:

Orr Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Orr, who landed in Maryland in 1674 12

Orr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Samuel Orr, who landed in Leeward Islands in 1710 12
Hugh Orr, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1740 12
Clement Orr, who arrived in New England in 1742 12
Ann Orr, aged 18, who landed in New York, NY in 1774 12
Isabella Orr, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1774 12

Orr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Orr who arrived in New York state in 1803
Alexander Orr, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1804 12
Joshua Orr, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 12
Josua Orr, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 12
Mathew Orr, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Orr migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Orr Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Isaac Orr, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Orr Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Samuel Orr, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
Paddy Orr, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
George Orr, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
Thomas Orr, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Robert Orr, aged 22, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Orr migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Orr Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Edward Orr, (b. 1794), aged 20, Irish tailor who was convicted in County Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 5th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Adam Orr, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
William Orr, a millwright, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. James Orr, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Christian Orr who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 7 years , transported aboard the "Aurora" on 22nd April 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Orr 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:

Orr Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Orr, British settler as part of the 8th Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 17
Mr. Thomas Orr, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 17
Miss Sarah Orr, (b. 1863), aged Infant, Irish settler from Antrim travelling from London aboard the ship "Tiptree" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 20th January 1864 17
Miss Martha E. Orr, (b. 1862), aged 11 months, Irish settler from Antrim travelling from London aboard the ship "Tiptree" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 20th January 1864 17
Mr. Thomas Orr, (b. 1839), aged 24, Irish farm labourer from Antrim travelling from London aboard the ship "Tiptree" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 20th January 1864 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Orr (post 1700) +

Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr OC (b. 1948), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey player, recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Louis McLaughlin Orr (1958-2022), American men's college basketball assistant coach at Georgetown
Robert "Skipp" Orr (1953-2021), American President of Boeing Japan from 2002 to 2007, and the one-time Vice President of Motorola's European Affairs Division, United States Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank (2010-2016)
Jimmy Orr (1935-2020), American Football wide receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Colts (1958-1970)
Benjamin Orr (1947-2000), American rock musician, best known as the bassist, vocalist and co-founder of the rock band The Cars
Alexander Ector Orr (1831-1914), American businessman in New York City, influential in the building the NYC subway system, President of the New York Produce Exchange (1887-1888), President of the New York Chamber of Commerce (1894)
James Lawrence Orr (1822-1873), American politician, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1857-1859), 73rd Governor of South Carolina (1865-1868), United States Ambassador to Russia (1872-1873)
David L. "Dave" Orr (1859-1915), American first baseman in Major League Baseball from 1883 through 1890
Douglas Orr (1892-1966), American architect
Ashley Rose Orr (b. 1990), American actress
... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Orr family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Archibald D. Orr (1908-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Miss Isabel J. Orr (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mr. Harry Orr, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mr. Samuel N. Orr (1871-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mrs. Annie L. Orr (1875-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
... (Another 4 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ibrox disaster

Alexander Peterson Orr (1955-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Lanarkshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 19

RMS Titanic

Mr. J. Orr (d. 1912), aged 40, English Assistant Vegetable Cook from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 20

USS Arizona

Mr. Dwight Jerome Orr, American Seaman First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 21

The Orr 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: Bonis omnia bona
Motto Translation: All things are good to the good.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
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
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html