Torr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Torr is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Austria were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Austrian and German patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and the most common patronymic suffix is ez. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The name Torr is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Thor, meaning thunder.

Early Origins of the Torr family

The surname Torr was first found in the province of Tyrol in Austria, where the name became identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would play a prominent role throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its participation in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Torr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Torr research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1165 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Torr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Torr Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Torr include Thor, Thorer, Thoren, Thorn, Torr, Thorr, Thorre and many more.

Early Notables of the Torr family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Torr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Torr migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Torr or a variant listed above:

Torr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Georg Torr, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1747 1

Torr migration to Australia +

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

Torr Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Torr, (b. 1805), aged 33, English carpenter who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1871 2
Sophia Torr, aged 15, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Hooghly" 3
John Torr, aged 39, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Hooghly" 3
John Torr (c. 1815-1884), from Tavistock, Devon who with his wife Ann, née Green, and family emigrated to Burra, South Australia in 1855 3

Torr 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:

Torr Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Torr, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Birman
Joseph Torr, aged 27, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Julia Torr, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
William Henry Torr, aged 4, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Thomas Torr, aged 2, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Torr (post 1700) +

Helen Torr (1886-1967), early American Modernist painter in the 1920s
Franklin Torr, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Hampshire, 1988 4
Diane Marian Torr (1948-2017), Canadian artist, writer and educator, known as a male impersonator and for her drag king workshops
William Torr (1808-1874), English agriculturist who came of a family of yeomen which had been settled for several generations at Riby in North Lincolnshire
Dona Ruth Anne Torr (1883-1957), British Marxist historian and major influence on the Communist Party Historians Group
Sam Torr (1849-1923), British music hall comedian
William George Torr MA, BCL, LLD, (1853-1939), nicknamed "Old Oxford", a religious educator in South Australia, son of John Torr, the Australian immigrant from Devon to South Australia
Michèle Torr (b. 1947), born Michelle Cléberte Tortis, a French singer and author
Brigadier Alexander George Torr (1907-1952), Deputy Engineer in Chief, Australian Military Forces, Army Headquarters in 1945 5

Citations +

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 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
South Australian Register Wednesday 21st February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Rodney 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/rodney1855.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, September 8) Alexander Torr. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Torr/Alexander_George/Australia.html