Surname Durr - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking Hidden Ancestry: A Journey into My Durr Family Lineage with iGENEA

Through iGENEA, I've uncovered hidden elements of my ancestry linked to the Durr family. Their DNA testing not only gave me unexpected insights about my lineage but also radically changed my self-understanding.

V. Durr

Durr: What does the surname Durr mean?

The surname Durr is of German origin and is primarily found among communities in Southwestern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "turre", which means "tower". It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a tower, typically a castle tower, or an occupational name for someone who was employed in a watchtower. Like many surnames, it originally served to help distinguish between people living in close proximity who may have shared the same first name. Over time, surnames like Durr became hereditary, passed down from generation to generation. The spelling of surnames often varied over time and could be influenced by factors such as regional dialects or literacy levels. Variations of the name Durr include Durrer, Durre, Dur, Duer and others.

Durr: Where does the name Durr come from?

The surname Durr is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German term "turri," meaning "dear" or "expensive," and was likely first used as a nickname before gradually transforming into a last name. The name might also have geographic roots, relating to individuals living near a tower, as "turm" also means "tower" in German.

As for its modern prevalence, the Durr surname is mostly found in United States, Germany, and France today. In the United States, states with high concentrations of individuals with the Durr surname include Mississippi, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Nonetheless, it is not a particularly common last name in any of these places. According to Forebears, it ranks as the 8167th most common surname in the world.

Variations of the surname Durr

The surname Durr has several variants and similar surnames that may or may not be of the same origin. Some of these include Dur, Dühr, Durro, Durrer, Durrah, and Durra. Sometimes, geographical location or language differences led to different spellings, such as the French Dure, Dutch Duer, and Italian Durro. There is also Dürr, a German variant with an umlaut.

The Normans brought the surname D'Urr to England in the 12th century, which became Durr, then later, Dore, Dorr, and Door in different regions. In Scotland, it turned into Dorran.

The root of these surnames stem from the old French term 'doré' referring to 'golden' or 'gilded'. In Germany, it is derived from 'dur' meaning 'dry' or 'hard'. Some of these may be occupational surnames, representing people who worked in professions requiring toughness or solidity, or for goldsmiths.

Please note that surname origins can be complex and may vary from source to source. The surnames above may not all have common ancestry or may have multiple distinct origins. Therefore, they may not all necessarily be variants or alternative spellings of each other.

For detailed and accurate information on individual surnames and their origins, genealogical research is recommended.

Famous people with the name Durr

• Alfred Durr (1918–2011), a German musicologist known for his work on Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Margit Durr (born 1953), a German field hockey player who won a bronze medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Samuel Durr, also known as Samy Deluxe, a renowned German rapper and hip hop artist.
• Heinrich Dürr (1912–2003), a German footballer who played as a forward for clubs like VfB Stuttgart.
• Karl Durr (1908–1972), a German athlete who competed in three Summer Olympics.
• Rosetta Durr (1909-1983), a Civil Rights activist from Alabama, known for her role in organizing the Freedom Rides in 1961.
• Virginia Durr (1903–1999), a prominent American civil rights activist and the sister-in-law of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black.
• Clifford Durr (1899–1975), an American attorney and the author of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Frederick Durr, a British entrepreneur known for establishing a chain of optician shops throughout the United Kingdom.
• Nana Durr, a fashion model who has worked with many high-end fashion brands globally.
• Reiner Dürr, a former German professional footballer.

Other surnames

DurallDuranDurandDürandDurandtDurangDurantDuranteDuratDurattDurbahnDurbanDurbenDurbinDurcanDürckDürckeDurckhDürckhDürckinDurdenDurdinDurduDureczekDurelyDuremDurenbergerDurerDures