NORMAN
The surname Norman has its roots in the British Isles, with a particular concentration in England and Scotland. It originated as a byname for individuals who were either of Norse descent or who had migrated from the northern regions of England and Scotland during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old Norse word Norðmaðr, meaning northman or man from the north, and it was commonly applied to the Viking settlers who established themselves in the north of the island.
In England, the byname was sometimes rendered as Northmann or Northmenn in Old English sources, reflecting the same ethnic designation of men from the north. By the 12th century, the surname appears in documentary evidence such as the Domesday Book of 1086, where the personal byname Normannus was recorded. Subsequent attestations include John le Norman of Warwickshire in 1221, Robert Northman of Oxfordshire in 1279, and John Normand of Roxburghshire in 1303. The first recorded instance of the family name as a surname was that of Hugo Norman, dated 1171 in the Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire during the reign of King Henry XI.
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the toponymic designation of the family name was also adopted to denote individuals originating from Normandy in the north of France. In this context the surname derives from the Old French words Normand or Normant. Many of the Norman conquerors were themselves of Scandinavian origin, thereby reintroducing the same linguistic heritage into the name. The surname continued in use throughout the later Middle Ages, with notable persons such as George Warde Norman (1793‑1882), a distinguished author on finance and a director of the Bank of England from 1821 to 1872.
The Norman family of Somerset bears a distinctive coat of arms described as a barry nebulee of eight silver and red on a black bend with three escallops proper. The crest depicts a cubit arm embowed in armour proper, pommelled and hilted gold, and the family motto is Pro fide strictus, which translates as Bound for faith. These heraldic elements underscore the family’s long-standing presence and status within the British aristocratic tradition.
Typical given names associated with the Norman surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Angela
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Normand
- Nearman
- Nauman
- Nawman
- Naumann
- Narman
- Neerman
- Nehrmann
- Norma
- Nariman
- Neriman
- Nerman
- Neurman
- Niermann
- Nirman
- Noorman
- Noraman
- Nordman
- Normanby
- Normandeau
- Normandin
- Normandy
- Normanly
- Normann
- Normans
- Normanson
- Normant
- Normantas
- Normante
- Normanton
- Normany
- Normon
- Norrman
- Nortman
- Nurman
- Narma
- Noran
- Normal
- Normandale
- Normansell
- Normansett
- Normanshaw
- Normar
- Normen
- Normond
- Nortan
- Nourmand
- Nordmann
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Norman in...
Braille
⠝⠕⠗⠍⠁⠝
Morse
-.---.-.--.--.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Norman are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Oreo.
There are approximately 27,216 people named Norman in the UK. That makes it the 295th most common surname in Britain. Around 418 in a million people in Britain are named Norman.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Norman
- Chris Norman - Musician
- Jesse Norman - Politician
- Barry Norman - Film critic (1933 to 2017)
- Monty Norman - Composer and musician
- Steve Norman - Musician
- Archie Norman - Politician
- Montagu Norman, 1st Baron Norman - Baron (1871 to 1950)
- Philip Norman - Author, novelist, journalist and playwright
- Leslie Norman - Film director, editor, screenwriter and producer (1911 to 1993)
- Torquil Norman - Businessman
- Maurice Norman - Football player
- Diana Norman - Author and journalist (1933 to 2011)
- David B. Norman - Paleontologist
- Tom Norman - Freak showman (1860 to 1930)
- Frank Norman - Novelist and playwright (1930 to 1980)
- Gilbert Norman - SOE agent (1915 to 1944)
- Tony Norman - Welsh football player
- David Norman - Canadian soccer player
- Sir Henry Norman, 1st Baronet - Journalist and Liberal politician (1858 to 1939)
- Ross Norman - New Zealand squash player
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.