CORR

Corr is a surname of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic word corr, meaning “spear.” The original form is typically identified as Ó Corra, where the prefix Ó denotes “descendant of.” The personal name Corra is thought to have been a nickname for someone skilled in the use of a spear or who possessed a spear‑like appearance, thus the surname carries connotations of martial proficiency.

The contemporary form Corr is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the northern counties of Ulster such as Tyrone, Derry, Donegal and Monaghan. Historical records indicate that the name was also present in Scotland, where it remains relatively uncommon. Early references to the family include the marriage of Elizabeth Corr and Francis Hunt in London in 1690, and the christening of Daniel Corr in Clones, Monaghan, in 1697. The earliest documented spelling is that of Gilla Corr, dated 1186 in the Annals of Ulster, which associates the name with a long line of descendants in the region of Fermanagh.

Variations of the surname are numerous and arise from Anglicisation or regional pronunciation differences. Common variants include O’Corr, MacCorr, Curry, Cor and Corre. The form Corry is also found, sometimes associated with the Anglo‑Norman spelling of the name in counties such as Tipperary and Kilkenny, although that usage is considered unrelated to the Gaelic origin. These variants reflect both the linguistic evolution of Gaelic names in English‑speaking contexts and the administrative practices of record‑keeping in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Throughout the twentieth and twenty‑first centuries, members of the Corr family have emigrated to the United Kingdom, the United States and other parts of the world, maintaining the surname in its original or altered forms. In Ireland, the name remains strongest in its historical heartland, suggesting a continuity of lineage that dates back to at least the twelfth century. The continued use of the surname in its modern form, together with its celebrated variants, demonstrates the resilience of Gaelic patronymic traditions within the broader cultural tapestry of the British Isles.

Typical given names associated with the Corr surname

Male

• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Patrick
• Paul
• Peter
• Stephen
• Thomas

Female

• Anne
• Brenda
• Catherine
• Claire
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Janet
• Kathleen
• Margaret
• Maria
• Mary
• Patricia
• Sarah

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Corr in...

Braille

⠉⠕⠗⠗

Morse

-.-.---.-..-.

Semaphore

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Famous people named Corr

• Joseph Corré - Businessman
• Dusa McDuff FRS Corr - Mathematician
• Aidan Corr - Australian rules football player
• Karen Corr - Northern Irish professional pool and snooker player
• Barry John Corr - Scottish football player
• Sadie Corré - Actress and dancer (1918 to 2009)
• Liam Corr - Scottish football player
• Pat Corr - Football player (1927 to 2017)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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