Surname Manor - Meaning and Origin

Manor: What does the surname Manor mean?

The last name Manor is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it generally denotes someone who lived or worked on a manor, which was a large agricultural estate operated under the feudal system. The word "manor" in Old English is derived from the Latin term "manerium" which originally meant a manor, estate, or mansion and it is likely that the surname was occupational for someone employed on such an estate.

The name may also be locational, given to people who originated from places named Manor, such as Manor Farm or Manor House. Therefore, Manor as a surname speaks to either a geographical origin or a historical occupation. However, individual family lineages may have specific stories or meanings associated with the surname.

Manor: Where does the name Manor come from?

The surname Manor is of English origin and it traces its roots back to Medieval England. Its meaning is associated with a "house or estate," reflecting the profession or status of the initial bearer, likely signifying a steward or the owner of a manorial estate.

As for its prevalence today, it is a relatively rare surname. However, it can be found in several regions of the world due to global migration patterns. It is most common in the United States, but it can also be found in England, where it originated, and in Israel, due to the translation of similar Hebrew surnames. Lesser populations of people with the Manor surname are found across parts of Europe, Australia, and South Africa. But overall, the Manor surname is scattered thinly around the world rather than being concentrated in a particular region.

It is worth mentioning that the distribution of the Manor surname can change over time due to various factors, like migration and intermarriage. Therefore, the current geographical distributions may not entirely reflect the original location of the surname.

Variations of the surname Manor

The surname Manor may have different variants and spellings, including Maner, Manner, Manors, Manore, Manour, Manar, Manry, Mainor and Menor. These variations usually result from regional dialects and phonetic spellings. The surname could often be spelled differently within the same document depending on the style of handwriting and level of literacy.

The surname Manor might have emerged as a topographic name for someone who lived in a manor house, it may have also derived as an occupational name for someone who worked there. It was used in medieval England to signify a residence of the lord of the manor and came from an old French word "manoir", meaning "dwelling", "residence", or "abode". This may explain its widespread distribution across England and France, and later in the United States. Some other familial names like deman, Manorino, De Manor, Mannor, or Manoir might have the same or similar derivations.

In some geographies, different families with the surname Manor may not necessarily be related, as they could have independently taken on the name from different manorial estates.

Famous people with the name Manor

• Benny Manor: American actor, known for works such as The Fosters and The Furies.
• Hullinger Manor: Emmy Award-winning Country Music star.
• Nicole Manor: Former American film actress, known for roles in film such as Red Riding Hood and The Family Trees.
• Patrick Manor: Professional golfer.
• Carter Manor: Professional basketball player in the NBA.
• Amy Manor: Award-winning child actress, known for roles in film and television shows such as It's a Good Day to be Alive and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
• David Manor: British actor, known for roles in films such as Deep Blue Sea and Christmas Vacation.
• Zimmer Manor: Award-winning Canadian musician.
• Jean Manor: Award-winning French comedy actress.
• Vance Manor: World-renowned musical theatre performer, known for roles in Broadway plays such as Annie and Hairspray.

Other surnames

ManoharManon