Dorr

The British surname Dorr is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "dor," which means door or gateway. As a surname, Dorr is classified as a topographic name, given to individuals residing near a specific geographical feature, such as a door.

Origin:

The surname Dorr can be traced back to medieval England, and its distribution indicates that it most likely originates from the southern regions of the country.

Variants:

Variants of the name Dorr include Door, Doore, Dore, and Dorrington.

Notable Individuals:

  • John Dorr: An influential businessman in 19th-century London, known for his contributions to the shipping industry.
  • Sarah Dorr: A prominent suffragette who played a key role in the fight for women's voting rights in the early 20th century.
  • Thomas Dorr: A respected scholar and author from the Victorian era, renowned for his works on English literature.

Heraldic Symbolism:

The Dorr family crest features a majestic lion, symbolising courage and strength, set against a background of azure blue denoting loyalty and truth.

Modern Distribution:

Today, the surname Dorr is relatively rare, with a small number of bearers scattered across various parts of the United Kingdom and abroad.

References:

  • P. Hanks and F. Hodges, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland (Oxford University Press, 2016).
  • J. Carraway, A Compendium of British Surnames (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2014).

There are approximately 219 people named Dorr in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Dorr.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Adrian
  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Antony
  • James
  • Liam
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Robert

Female

  • Emily
  • Emma
  • Frances
  • Helen
  • Jane
  • Joan
  • Julie
  • Louise
  • Melanie
  • Patricia
  • Sandra
  • Susan
  • Tracey
  • Wendy

Similar and related surnames

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

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