Find out how popular the first name Gorman has been for the last 5 years (from 1976 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gorman by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Gorman is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gorman.

The history of the first name Gorman

The name Gorman is believed to have originated from the Old English word "gor," meaning "mud" or "dirt," and the suffix "-man," which was commonly added to denote a person's occupation or characteristic. It likely referred to someone who worked with mud or lived near a muddy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gorman can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Gorman" and is listed as a landowner in Cheshire.

In the 12th century, a man named Gorman of Ardstraw was a prominent Irish cleric and scholar. He served as the Bishop of Ardstraw and is credited with writing several religious texts, including a commentary on the Gospels.

During the Middle Ages, the name Gorman was relatively common in Ireland and Scotland. In 1379, a Scottish nobleman named Sir Gorman Gorme is mentioned in historical records as a supporter of King Robert II.

In the 16th century, an English poet and playwright named Gorman Tyler (c. 1520-1590) gained recognition for his works, including a play titled "The Tragedy of Gorboduc," which is considered one of the earliest examples of a blank verse tragedy in English literature.

Another notable figure with the name Gorman was John Gorman (1661-1726), an Irish architect and engineer who designed several important buildings in Dublin, including the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Throughout history, the name Gorman has been borne by various individuals across different fields, such as the American football player Gorman Thomas (born 1950), the British artist Gorman Maurice Douglass (1853-1913), and the Australian politician Gorman Hogan (1862-1931).

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gorman was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gorman, please contact us.

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