ARMOUR
Armour
Armour is a surname of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Middle English word "armure," meaning "armour" or "protection." The surname was likely occupational in nature, given to someone who made or wore armour.
Origins
The Armour surname is most commonly found in Scotland and the northern regions of England, particularly in areas with a strong tradition of armour production. It is believed to have originated in the medieval period when the production and use of armour were widespread.
Notable Bearers
Notable bearers of the Armour surname include:
-
Philip Armour (1832–1901) - A Scottish-American meatpacking industrialist and founder of Armour and Company.
-
Lesley Isla Armour (b. 1961) - A British neuroscientist known for her research on motion perception.
-
Thomas Armour (1823–1905) - A Scottish-born American educator and philanthropist who founded the Armour Institute of Technology (now the Illinois Institute of Technology).
Distribution
The Armour surname is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the lowlands and the central belt. It is also present in northern England, with concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Northumberland.
Variants
Variants of the Armour surname include Armor, Armorer, and Armer.
Conclusion
The Armour surname carries with it a historical connection to the production and use of armour in medieval times. Today, bearers of the Armour surname can be found primarily in Scotland and parts of northern England, with notable individuals making contributions in various fields.
There are approximately 2,806 people named Armour in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,184th most common surname in Britain. Around 43 in a million people in Britain are named Armour.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jane
- Janet
- Jean
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Susan
- Wendy