Surname Armour - Meaning and Origin
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Armour: What does the surname Armour mean?
The last name Armour is of Old English and Scottish origin, and was derived from the Old French term "armour," meaning "armour bearer," or "armor bearer," referring to a military officer who was in charge of carrying a knight's armor into battle. This name has been associated with many branches of the armed forces and is often found amongst soldiers, sailors, singers, warriors, and militia members around the world.
The surname Armour has its roots in medieval Europe, where it was a form of status and a way to demonstrate one's social standing and rank. In Scotland, where the name originated, members of the Armour family were considered to be well connected, as they were often close to the Crown and military leaders.
Today, the last name Armour is prominent in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It also remains a popular choice in the military, with many soldiers choosing the surname as a sign of service and loyalty.
Finally, the last name Armour has also been adopted by people with no military connection as a symbol of strength, courage, and protection. Those hoping to honor their family members' service in the military may choose to use the surname as a way to show their respect for their family lineage while simultaneously marking themselves as part of a larger so-called "brotherhood of arms."
Order DNA origin analysisArmour: Where does the name Armour come from?
The last name Armour is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia and the United States. In the United Kingdom, Armour is often a Scottish name and can be found in Argyllshire, Stirlingshire, and Lanarkshire. In Ireland, Armour is primarily found in County Wicklow and Clare. In Scotland, Armour is most predominantly found in Inverness-shire, Perthshire, and Ayrshire.
In Canada, Armour is a French-Canadian name and can be found primarily in Quebec, particularly in the towns of Outremont and Saint-Hyacinthe. In Australia, Armour is most common in Queensland, particularly Brisbane. In the United States, Armour is predominant in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio.
Around the world, Armour is not a particularly common name and is usually found in areas that are predominantly either British, Irish, Scottish, or French-Canadian in origin. Many individuals with the last name of Armour may trace their ancestry back to these respective countries.
Variations of the surname Armour
The surname Armour is an occupational name of French origin meaning “armourer.” It is an anglicized version of the French surname Armeur. The different variants and spellings of the surname Armour include Armure, Armore, Armer, Armet, and Armett.
Armour is also found on many different national censuses and can be found spelled as Armouer, Armur, Armurn, Armurst, and Armurer. The surname has also been spelled as Amor and Amore in the Italian language and Armiger in the English language.
Other surnames with the same origin as Armour are Armon, Armont, Armstong, Armous, Armoux, Armeaux, Armeur and Armaud.
The variation of the Armour surname is found primarily in English speaking countries, such as England, USA and Canada. It is also present in the nearby countries of Ireland, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.
In England, the surnames Armon, Armour, Armouer, Armurn, Armurst, Armourr, Coat-Arms and Armonter have been recorded in the regional counties of the Domesday book and Inquisitiones post mortem. In Scotland, the names Armitt, Armour, Amor and Amore have been listed in historic records since the 15th century.
The Armour surname is also found in the United States where it has been widely adopted by the descendents of immigrants. Records indicate that it was among the many outer continental European surnames brought to the country in the 1700s.
Given the many spelling variants and surnames of the same origin, it is easy to see how diverse this surname has become over time. Each variant holds the same occupational origin connecting them all back to the same surname Armour.
Famous people with the name Armour
- Chris Armour: actor and producer
- Jessica Armour: ex-model and socialite
- James Armour: former MLA and Member of Scottish Parliament
- W. Abercrombie Armour: BAFTA Award-winning costume designer
- David Armour: professor of public policy
- Sally Armour: theatrical and musical artist
- Emma Armour: member of the British Parachute Regiment
- Andrew Armour: 1935- statsman from Australia
- Doug Armour: American baseball player
- Michael Armour: actor and singer from the United Kingdom