Surname Ormston - Meaning and Origin
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Ormston: What does the surname Ormston mean?
The last name Ormston is of English origin and is derived from two Old English words – ‘orm’ meaning ‘dragon’ and ‘stun’ meaning ‘ston’ or ‘town’. Essentially, those with the surname Ormston are associated with the title of ‘dragon-town’ or ‘dragon-stone’. It is likely that the name was given to those who lived near a prominent stone or landmark of some kind with a dragon-like image or likeness inscribed upon it.
The first known recorded reference to the name is found in the register from the village of Ribchester in Lancashire, England, dated 1214. It is believed to refer to Robertus de Ormestun, whose father was named Ralph de Ormestun, and whose son was Gilbertus de Ormestun.
During the Medieval period, the surname was associated with prominent people in many areas. The Ormston family were known for their military acumen in Northumbria, the North Riding of Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, and certain parts of Lancashire, so much so that its members became known as “Marshal (or Warriors) of Ormston”.
Today, Ormston is not a particularly common surname, but is thought to originate from a few prominent families that spread across various parts of the English countryside. It is likely that those with the name today can trace their ancestry to a very limited selection of areas in England.
Order DNA origin analysisOrmston: Where does the name Ormston come from?
The last name Ormston is still common today and can be found across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United Kingdom, the last name Ormston is most commonly found in the north of England. The counties with the highest occurrences are Lancashire, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria. It is generally thought that the surname originated from the border between Scotland and England, and is linked to the region, meaning it is likely that the family originally migrated south from that area.
In terms of today's population, the highest numbers of Ormstons can be found in Australia, where they are spread throughout the eastern states. Additionally, in North America, the surname is particularly common in Canada with the most concentrated population located in Ontario.
Finally, it has been suggested that a great number of Ormstons live in Sweden, although there is less specific data on this point, given the nature of Swedish naming conventions which involves a combination of a patronymic and a surname, meaning that a surname alone would unlikely represent the full population.
Variations of the surname Ormston
The surname Ormston has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:
* Harmston
* Armston
* Ormestone
* Ormistone
* Ormson
* Ormeson
* Armson
* Ormason
Harmston is a variant form of Ormston, and is an English habitational name from any of the numerous places named with the Old English elements ‘orma’ meaning ‘worm’, ‘grub’, or ‘serpent-like creature’ and ‘tun’ meaning ‘enclosure’, ‘settlement’, or ‘farm’. Armston is an additional variant, and is similarly an English habitational name, likely originating from the name Armston. Ormestone, Ormistone, Ormson, and Ormeson represent variations of the same surnames, and likely have the same origin as before mentioned. Armson and Ormason are two other variations of Ormston, and these represent the same origin as the previous surnames listed.
Overall, the surname Ormston can have multiple variants spellings and surnames with the same origin. This is largely due to the derivation from the Old English elements ‘orma’ and ‘tun’. Therefore, it can be concluded that have multiple variations of spelling of the same surname is common in certain origins.
Famous people with the name Ormston
- David Ormston: British actor who has starred in Black Mirror and Outlander.
- Jason Ormston: Canadian musician who is the lead singer-songwriter for rock band Gang of Others.
- Angelica Ormston: Australian actress who plays Lucy in the Netflix show Tidelands.
- John Ormston: British actor who has been in films such as The Iron Lady, The Fifth Element, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
- Karl Ormston: American author who garnered praise for his novel ‘Into the Light’.
- Michelle Ormston: Canadian singer-songwriter who released her debut album ‘That Girl’ in 2015.
- David Ormston: English football player who is currently with Kilmarnock FC.
- Roseanne Ormston: British artist who creates multimedia works which focus on identity, gender, and sexuality.
- Eliza Ormston: Australian pianist and composer who has released three solo albums and has featured in various artist collaborations.
- Sarah Ormston: British lawyer and former judge in the Middle East who currently works with the International Bar Association.