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Orr Family History & Genealogy

24,467 biographies and 95 photos with the Orr last name. Discover the family history, nationality, origin and common names of Orr family members.

Orr Last Name History & Origin

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Summary

The name is also from the Norse, Orri, meaning Black Grouse. There is developing evidence that we were Vikings who came to Scotland on one of the raids and stayed. According to oral history, an Orr sailed with Erik the Red in 1000 A.D.

History

ORR NAME (From a family history researched by Howard G. Orr, 1908 - 1996)

Traditions say that the name, Orr, is of Scotch origin.

One tradition says that it comes from the French name D'Or, becoming Dorr and then Orr in Great Britain. The story is that the D'Ors came to Scotland with William the Conqueror in 1066 and were given lands for their services. (The French "d'or" means "of gold." A range of hills southeast of Paris is named Cote d'Or - hills of gold.)

Another tradition is that the name, Orr was originally MacGregor and all of the name was dropped except the last syllable following the defeat of the MacGregors by the clan Campbell. These defeated people named the river Ayr or Orr in their retreat and set it as a deadline.

Much discussion has taken place over the years with regard to the origin of the name Orr. It has swayed to and fro between England, Ireland and Scotland. It is generally agreed that the name is a corruption of the Gaelic "odhar" which indicates "one of pale complexion", but records do not show the name as being of Irish origin.

There is little doubt that the surname Orr is an appellation of a group of Scottish inhabitants who claim descent from the same ancestor. Records show that they originated in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and the ancestor in question was of fair or pale complexion.

The name is prominent in the Northeastern part of Ireland, which is the point nearest Scotland and it is generally believed that these Orr families stemmed from there.

In the year 1296 a Hew Orr "rendered homage" in return for a piece of land. In those days when a man "rendered homage" he became a Vassal to a King or Nobleman and in return for his promise to fight forty days in any one year to protect the King from his enemies, help pay ransom money in the event his master might be kidnapped or captured by the enemy, he would receive land and a house which he could hand down to his son when he died. The ceremony of "rendering homage" was elaborate and solemn and was an honor in those days when many people were serfs.

In the year 1503 four persons named Orr were summoned to Court to answer serious charges of "bad conduct" made against them by the Abbot of Paisley.

The ancient coat-of-arms granted to the name Orr is blazoned "Gules, three piles in point argent, on a chief or a tortears between two crosses crosslet fitchee of the field." The background of the shield is red on which is three points of silver. A gold band across the top is charged with a red circle between two crosses pointed at the bottom.

Name Origin

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Spellings & Pronunciations

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Nationality & Ethnicity

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Famous People named Orr

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Early Orrs

These are the earliest records we have of the Orr family.

Robert Orr of Australia was born in 1790, and died at age 72 years old in 1862.
Marion Orr of Australia was born in 1790, and died at age 83 years old in 1873.
Thomas Orr of Melbourne, St James Melbourne Parish County Australia was born in 1792, and died at age 59 years old in 1851 in Melbourne.
Eliza Orr of Springs, St Peters Melbourne Parish County Australia was born in 1797 to John Orr. Eliza Orr died at age 52 years old in 1849 in Springs.
Russell Orr was born on April 3, 1798 at Washington County, PA, and died at age 41 years old on November 4, 1839 at Mahoning County, OH. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Russell Orr.
Margaret Orr of Australia was born in 1798, and died at age 64 years old in 1862.
Edmund Orr of W Bool Hos Australia was born in 1800, and died at age 86 years old in 1886 in W Bool Hos.
Elizabeth Orr of Australia was born in 1802 to Anstice Charles Orr and Elizabeth Orr. Elizabeth Orr died at age 69 years old in 1871.
Mary Orr of Bendigo Australia was born in 1803, and died at age 90 years old in 1893 in Bendigo.
Ellen Orr of Australia was born in 1803, and died at age 73 years old in 1876.
Agnes Orr of Port Melbourne Australia was born in 1804, and died at age 82 years old in 1886 in Port Melbourne.
Andrew John Orr of Australia was born in 1805, and died at age 63 years old in 1868.

Orr Family Photos

Discover Orr family photos shared by the community. These photos contain people and places related to the Orr last name.

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Orr Family Tree

Discover the most common names, oldest records and life expectancy of people with the last name Orr.

Most Common First Names

Updated Orr Biographies

Bessie Alice (Auldist) Orr of Oakleigh, City of Monash County, VIC Australia was born on December 8, 1889 in Oakleigh, and died at age 41 years old on July 29, 1931 in Oakleigh.
Marie (Peavy) Orr of Ventura, California United States was born on July 14, 1952, and died at age 61 years old in 2013 in Ventura.
Margaret Eliza Eliza (Orr) Boldarini of Port Melbourne Australia was born circa 1856 in Tara, Northern Ireland County, and died at age 54 years old on June 10, 1911 in VIC.
Agnes (Orr) Gentles was born in 1816, and died at age 59 years old in 1875 in Yambuk, Moyne Shire County, VIC Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Agnes Orr Gentles.
William Scutter Orr was born to John M. Orr (1849 - 1929) and Delilah Hannah Burk (1839 - 1900). He had one sister, Nettie Ann Orr (1875 - 1952). William Orr married Anna May Williams (1888 - 1919) on November 28, 1907 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and they had two children, Gladys Elizabeth (1908 - 2005) and Catherine Evelyn (1913 - 2008). He then married Sara Elizabeth "Lizzie" Flowers after Anna May's death and they didn't have children.
Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams
Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams was born in 1875. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams.
John M. Orr of Texarkana, Arkansas United States was born in June 1847, and died at age 81 years old on April 20, 1929.
Stacey Marie (Orr Lee) Hannum was born on August 15, 1968 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania United States. She married William Roy Lee Jr. in 1992 in Downingtown, Chester County and they later divorced in 2010 in Honey Brook. She also married Roger John Hannum Jr. in 2011 in Honey Brook, Chester County. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Stacey Marie Hannum.
Fannie Cochran (Orr) Query was born in 1883, and died at age 84 years old in 1967. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Fannie Cochran (Orr) Query.
Joe Ella (Allen) Orr was born on September 6, 1927 in Justin, Denton County, TX, and died at age 81 years old on January 24, 2009 in Denton. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Joe Ella (Allen) Orr.
Catherine Elizabeth Orr of Denton, Texas United States was born on June 13, 1956 in Denton, and died at age 59 years old on November 10, 2015 in Denton.
Charles Edward Orr was born on October 13, 1950 in Denton, Texas United States to Joe Ella (Allen) Orr and Harold Amos Orr, and died at age 64 years old on February 6, 2015. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Charles Edward Orr.
Harold Amos Orr was born on June 11, 1926 in Little Elm, Texas United States, and died at age 68 years old on July 11, 1994. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Harold Amos Orr.
Francis E Orr of Chanute, Neosho County, KS was born on May 1, 1916, and died at age 86 years old on March 4, 2003.
Annie Holm Orr
Annie Annie (Holm) Orr of Northcote Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Annie Holm Orr.
LaRue (Orr) Waters of Burnt Cabins, Pennsylvania United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember LaRue Waters.
Mabel Stevenson Orr of Westfield, Union County, New Jersey was born on October 7, 1920, and died at age 87 years old on August 21, 2008.
{*} @BdmRegistry: {*} FATHER: Boldarini, Michael Angelo ( ~ 1897) {*} VIC B[D]M # 14252/1897; DIED: 1897 (P Melb); AGED: 61 years; NAME: Michel [BOLDARINI]; BORN: circa 1836; FATHER: Boldarini Angelo [{missing}]; MOTHER: Cath [{missing}] (born BARTOLS) {*} Michael Boldarini; BIRTH; 1835; DEATH; 3 Oct 1897 (aged 61–62); BURIAL; Melbourne General Cemetery; Carlton North; PLOT; MGC-COE-Comp-CC-No-290 {*} MOTHER: Boldarini, Margaret Elizabeth (born ORR) {*} VIC B[D]M # 6524/1911; DIED: 1911 (Prn); AGED: 55 years; NAME: Margt Eliza [BOLDARINI]; BORN: circa 1856; FATHER: Orr Jno [{missing}]; MOTHER: Elizth [{missing}] (born COOPER) {*} Margaret Elizabeth Cooper{{should be ORR}} Boldarini; BIRTH; 1856; DEATH; 10 Jun 1911 (aged 54–55); BURIAL; Melbourne General Cemetery; Carlton North; PLOT; MGC-COE-Comp-CC-No-290
Alexander P Orr
Alexander Peter Orr's father was William David Orr (1883 - 1963) and his mother was Julia Amelia Knopp (1899 - 1986). He had siblings William Paul, Edward John, Mary Ann, James Robert Orr, plus one more brother. When Alexander was was 12, the family was living in San Antonio, Texas. His father was a tax accountant and appraiser in a private business. Alexander was a veteran of World War II; a Tec 5 in the United States Army. (Technician fifth grade (abbreviated T/5 or Tec 5) was a rank of the United States Army from 1942 to 1948. The rank was created to recognize enlisted soldiers with special technical skills, but who were not trained as combat leaders.)
Harold Amos Orr was born on June 11, 1926 in Little Elm, Texas United States, and died at age 68 years old on July 11, 1994 in Denton. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Harold Amos Orr.

Popular Orr Biographies

Elijah Orr
Elijah Orr was born on March 31, 1857. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elijah Orr.
William J Orr
William J Orr was born on August 14, 1818. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William J Orr.
Benjamin Orr Jr was born on September 24, 1994 to Benjamin Orzechowski and Edita Hartig. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Benjamin Orr Jr..
Paula Marie (Pavlik) Koskubar, Orr of Brussels, Door County, Wisconsin United States was born on April 28, 1966. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Paula Marie Pavlik.
William Scutter Orr was born to John M. Orr (1849 - 1929) and Delilah Hannah Burk (1839 - 1900). He had one sister, Nettie Ann Orr (1875 - 1952). William Orr married Anna May Williams (1888 - 1919) on November 28, 1907 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and they had two children, Gladys Elizabeth (1908 - 2005) and Catherine Evelyn (1913 - 2008). He then married Sara Elizabeth "Lizzie" Flowers after Anna May's death and they didn't have children.
Bruce Orr was born on January 29, 1997. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Bruce Orr.
Carolyn Wilson Chaffin Orr
Carolyn Wilson Chaffin Orr was born on September 10, 1938. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Carolyn Wilson Chaffin Orr.
Gates Orr
Gates and his first wife, Lorinda, moved with his widowed mother and siblings to Wayne Co., IL about 1853 where Lorinda died in 1863. He married Mary Jane BEST in 1864 in Wayne Co., IL. In the fall of 1878, after a few years in Wisconsin, Gates and Mary Jane moved to Sumner Co., KS and bought the farm on which the ORR family lived for the next 120 years, bringing three of the children from his first marriage - Lorinda Estella “Stella”, Joseph Hyram and Olive Ruth, and the first three born to him by Mary Jane - Mary Best, Fred Calvin and Frank Gates. Also with the family was May D. ORR, believed to be the illegitimate daughter of Estella, who was raised as a daughter of Gates and Mary Jane. George Russell ORR was born to Gates and Mary Jane in 1880. Family information was that he died on December 10 and that's the date used on the tombstone erected in 1994, but the following two obituaries indicate that he died on a Tuesday and in 1905 Tuesday was on December 12. From the Conway Springs Star, December 1905: Another old settler of Sumner County and citizen here for 27 years has gone to his eternal home. Gates Orr died at his home southwest of Conway Springs about 8 o’clock Tuesday evening. He has been very feeble for a long time and died at the ripe old age of about 80 years. Gates Orr has experienced all the struggles and triumphs incident to the settlement and development of this country, and as a splendid citizen and good neighbor he will long be remembered. The funeral will be this Thursday afternoon, Dec. 14 at his home, and it will be conducted by Elder Broadus of Belle Plaine. Gospel Advocate, January 11, 1906, page 26: Brother Gates Orr died at his home three miles southwest of Conway Springs, Kan., on Tuesday, December 12, 1905, aged about seventy-nine years. Funeral services were conducted at the home of Elder D. T. Broadus, of Belle Plaine, Kan., after which the remains were followed to the Spring Hill Cemetery by many sorrowing friends, to await the resurrection of the dead. G. M. Roach., Conway Springs, Kan
Mary Jane (Best) Orr
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mary Jane (Best) Orr.
Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams
Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams was born in 1875. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Nettie Ann (Orr) Williams.
Smiley A Orr
Smiley A Orr was born in 1912. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Smiley A Orr.
Matilda Frances Orr
Matilda Frances Orr was born on December 7, 1846. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Matilda Frances Orr.
Elizabeth (Garcia) Orr was born on March 1, 1958 in Stoughton, Massachusetts United States to Franklin Walter Garcia and Elaine Naughton, and had siblings Lynn Garcia, Elaine Judith (Garcia) Jennings, and John Garcia. Elizabeth Orr died at age 62 years old on January 7, 2021 in Carver. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elizabeth (Garcia) Orr.
Joe Ella (Allen) Orr was born on September 6, 1927 in Justin, Denton County, TX, and died at age 81 years old on January 24, 2009 in Denton. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Joe Ella (Allen) Orr.
Russell Orr was born on April 3, 1798 at Washington County, PA, and died at age 41 years old on November 4, 1839 at Mahoning County, OH. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Russell Orr.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Henry Cecil Orr .
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ava Kristine Orr.
Evaline  Orr
Evaline Orr was born in 1838. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Evaline Orr.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Augusta (Gussie) (Orr) Ledford.
Catherine Elizabeth Orr of Denton, Texas United States was born on June 13, 1956 in Denton, and died at age 59 years old on November 10, 2015 in Denton.

Orr Death Records & Life Expectancy

The average age of a Orr family member is 72.0 years old according to our database of 18,633 people with the last name Orr that have a birth and death date listed.

Life Expectancy

72.0 years

Oldest Orrs

These are the longest-lived members of the Orr family on AncientFaces.

Adria A Orr of Winona Lake, Kosciusko County, IN was born on September 16, 1895, and died at age 108 years old on January 16, 2004.
108 years
Maude Orr of Southington, Hartford County, CT was born on January 24, 1877, and died at age 107 years old in January 1984.
106 years
Maude A Orr of Frost, Navarro County, TX was born on November 20, 1887, and died at age 106 years old on May 20, 1994.
106 years
Louise R Orr of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC was born on October 8, 1891, and died at age 106 years old on February 15, 1998.
106 years
Mary Orr of Mercer, Mercer County, PA was born on October 5, 1879, and died at age 106 years old in February 1986.
106 years
Estelle Orr of Folsom, Sacramento County, California was born on February 19, 1869, and died at age 106 years old in February 1975.
105 years
Mary E Orr of Independence, Jackson County, MO was born on October 6, 1899, and died at age 105 years old on February 7, 2005.
105 years
Charlotte H Orr of South Dakota was born on March 14, 1903, and died at age 106 years old on June 24, 2009.
106 years
Wilson K Orr of Miamisburg, Montgomery County, OH was born on December 22, 1894, and died at age 105 years old on January 29, 2000.
105 years
Janet Orr of Milford, New Haven County, CT was born on October 16, 1880, and died at age 105 years old in August 1986.
105 years
Grace A Orr of Portland, Multnomah County, OR was born on August 20, 1890, and died at age 105 years old on November 14, 1995.
105 years
Iva D Orr of Newark, Licking County, OH was born on July 31, 1893, and died at age 104 years old on February 14, 1998.
104 years
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Looking for relatives of William. Fred.Duane and Eugene Orr from South Dakota
I noticed some discussion about Luke Orr. He is my great-grandfather. His son, Irving Orr, is my grandfather. Irving Orr married Cora Kiefer and their second child was Edgar Orr, my father. We don't have any information about Luke Orr after he left the family and presumably moved to Seattle??

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