Surname Norris - Meaning and Origin

A Journey Beyond Surnames: Discovering my Hidden Ancestry through iGENEA DNA Test

Through a simple iGENEA DNA test, I unexpectedly discovered that my family's lineage extends far beyond the English heritage that my surname Norris initially suggests. The test results exposed a part of my DNA story which contains exciting Irish and Scandinavian chapters, catapulting me on a quest to reevaluate my identity and familial past.

I. Norris

Norris: What does the surname Norris mean?

The last name Norris is of Anglo-Norman origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Norreis' which means 'northerner', typically referring to a Scandinavian. The name is prevalent in England and Ireland and was first introduced into England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. In addition to its geographical roots, the name also has occupational origins. In medieval times, it was often given to a nurse or wet-nurse. Over time, several variations of the surname have evolved, including Norrish, Norriss, Norreys, and Nore. People with the surname Norris have been found in many professional fields, including acting, athletics, writing, and law. Despite its various connotations and derivations, the Norris surname commonly represents a person from the north or someone involved in the nursing profession.

Norris: Where does the name Norris come from?

The last name Norris is a surname of British origins which is common throughout England, as well as in places like Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Some descendants of the Norris family can also be found in Australia and New Zealand.

In English-speaking countries, Norris is often found as a given name, mostly in America, but it is more popularly used as a surname. In the United States, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Norris surname ranked thirteenth among the ten thousand most popular surnames in the country, with approximately 111,530 individuals bearing the name. The Norris surname is also common in Canada, particularly in Ontario, where approximately 9,410 Norris family members reside.

In the UK, Norris is the 186th most common surname, with approximately 73,751 people bearing it as of the 2011 census. According to the same survey, the city of Liverpool is home to 3,629 Norris families, making it the most common family name in that city.

Overall, Norris is a common last name throughout the various countries of the English-speaking world, though its degree of prominence varies from place to place.

Variations of the surname Norris

The surname Norris is a patronymic surname of Norman French origin and is derived from the name Norreys and Norrice, two Norman versions of the originally Latin name “Noricum”. It is thought to have derived from ‘Northfolk’, the region in Normandy from which the Norreys originated. The variants of Norris can include Norreys, Norrice, Norreys, Norice, Nornes, Nourish, Nours, Norriss, Norrise, Norrys, Norriss, Noreys, Norrish and Nours. Some of the spellings of Norris can include Norice, Norres, Nores, Norees, Norrisse and Norrice.

The most commonly used surnames which originated from Norris are Norreys, Norrish, Noreys and Nornes. A few other surname forms are Nurrice, Norricey, Nourys, Norryce, Norry and Norriss. These forms may be found in records that predate the 18th century.

The Norris name was widely used in England and there were references to the family by the 13th century in the counties of Essex, Norfolk, Surrey and Middlesex. It has since spread to 15 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and the USA. It is particularly well-known in Australia, where it reached peak frequency in the mid-19th century.

There are still many different variants and spellings of the surname Norris in current use. The specific spelling used in any given case can depend on the particular region in which the Norris family settled and the specific language used in the documents and records concerned.

Famous people with the name Norris

• Chuck Norris: US actor, film producer, screenwriter and martial artist
• Mike Norris: US actor, director and son of Chuck
• Aaron Norris: US film producer, director and actor
• Christopher Norris: English academic philosopher
• Wanda Norris: US actress
• Phyllis Norris: US Singer
• Jesse Norris: US professional weightlifter
• Ginger Norris: US actress
• Claire Norris: English Actress
• Alex Norris: British singer, songwriter and actor

Other surnames

NorridNorrieNorriss