Surname Storr - Meaning and Origin
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Storr: What does the surname Storr mean?
The last name Storr is of Old Norse origin, derived from the Old Norse name "Stjórnarr". It is primarily associated with the regions of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England. The word "Storr" in Old Norse means "Great" or "Large". The name could possibly denote a person of great size or stature, or it could be related to a geographical feature such as a large rock or mountain. It is also possible that it was used to signify someone who lived near a notable rock or hill. It has been suggested that the name could be occupational, referring to a steward or a person in charge. Like many surnames, the exact origin and meaning can vary based on regional usage and family history. Therefore, without specific genealogical context, it is difficult to ascertain the exact meaning of the surname Storr.
Order DNA origin analysisStorr: Where does the name Storr come from?
The last name Storr is a name of Norman-French origin that is most common today in England. The earliest records of the name come from the 1260s in London, England. Since then, it has been found primarily in the southern counties of England, particularly in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire, with some records extending further afield to Derbyshire and Yorkshire. However, it is also found in smaller numbers throughout the rest of the UK as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
Today, in England, most people who share the surname Storr live across the central and southern cities, particularly London, Bristol, and Brighton & Hove. There is also a much smaller cluster of Storrs in the north-west of England in Liverpool and Manchester.
Outside of the UK, the surname Storr can be found in various languages. The name is often spelled ‘Store’ in Australia and New Zealand, ‘Stor’ or ‘Storer’ in the US, and ‘Storre’ in Canada.
Thus, the name Storr is most common in England today, with some people bearing the name in other English-speaking countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Storr
The surname Storr is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word “Stuart” meaning "steward”. It has several variants and alternate spellings including Stuart, Store, Storer, Storey, Stower, and Stoure. It was first spelled as "Storre" in Scotland in the 13th century.
The Storr surname has a long history in Scotland. There is evidence that some Storr families can trace their roots to the pre-feudal era. The clans of the Borders and Scotland were known to use the Storr name and some believe that at one point there were 30 Storr settlements in Scotland.
Variations of the name were created both intentionally and unintentionally by different spellings and dialects of the time. The name was adopted by many emigrants all over the world and using different spelling variations.
For example, the surname has variant forms, such as Stor, Stör, Stura, and Ström, which evolved over time in Europe, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Various members of these Storr families went to different parts of the world including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
In the United States, the most common variations of the Storr surname are Scurr, Storrs, Storer, Story, and Storey. In the UK, variations of the surname include Stower, Storey, Storing, Storer, and Store. One of the earliest occurrences of this name in Scotland was John Stor who was recorded in the Aberdeen rolls in 1398.
The spellings and variants of the Storr surname continue to change as families move to different countries throughout the world, adapting to new dialects and languages. The surname is still common in Scotland and around the world today.
Famous people with the name Storr
- Paul Storr: British silversmith and goldsmith from London
- Robert Storr: American art critic, lecturer, curator and artist
- James Storr: English psychologist
- Michael Storr: British author and journalist
- Helen Storr: British geneticist
- William Storr: British portrait artists
- Sonia Storr: Australian film director
- Matthew Storr: British celebrity chef
- Alfred Storr: British garrison entertainment commander
- Henry Storr: British violinist and composer