Orr is a name of Scottish roots that became firmly established in the north of Ireland.
Where does the Orr name come from?
Orr is generally a Scottish name. It is often explained as a nickname from the Gaelic odhar, “sallow” or “dun-coloured,” describing complexion; some accounts also connect it with a place or with a word for a border or edge. It became a well-known Lowland Scottish surname.
Orr in Ireland
The name came to the north of Ireland through Scottish settlement and became established in Ulster, where Orr families have long been part of the life of the province. The name is remembered through William Orr, a figure of the United Irishmen in the late eighteenth century. As a settled northern name, Orr is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Nelson, Nicholson, and Barry.
Carry the Orr name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Orr collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orr an Irish surname?
Orr is of Scottish origin and became a well-settled name in the north of Ireland, especially in Ulster.
What does Orr mean?
It is often explained as a nickname from a Gaelic word for “sallow” or “dun-coloured.”
Is there an Orr family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Orr products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
