Find out how popular the first name Torrey has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Torrey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Torrey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 79% of people named Torrey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 19 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Torrey.

The history of the first name Torrey

The name Torrey is believed to have its origins in the Old French word "tour," meaning a tower or fortified building. This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a surname or descriptive title for someone who lived or worked in a tower or fortified structure.

In the Middle Ages, many surnames derived from occupations or geographic locations became adopted as given names. The name Torrey likely followed this pattern, transitioning from a descriptive surname to a first name over time.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Torrey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England and parts of Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book includes entries for individuals with the surname "Torrey" or similar spellings, such as "Torri" or "Tori."

In the 13th century, the name Torrey appeared in various historical records and documents across Europe. For instance, a man named Torrey de Montfort was a prominent figure in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France during the early 1200s.

During the Renaissance period, the name Torrey gained popularity among the educated and intellectual classes. One notable individual was Torrey Cooke (1501-1572), an English scholar and translator who was part of the circle of humanists surrounding Sir Thomas More.

In the 17th century, Torrey Josselyn (1608-1675) was an English traveler and naturalist who documented the flora and fauna of New England in his work "New England's Rarities Discovered." His writings provided valuable insights into the natural history of the region during the early colonial period.

Another historically significant figure was Torrey Underwood (1668-1733), a British architect and surveyor who contributed to the rebuilding efforts in London after the Great Fire of 1666. Underwood's designs were influential in shaping the city's architectural landscape during the early 18th century.

Moving into the 19th century, Torrey Huntington (1789-1866) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut. He was also involved in the establishment of the American School for the Deaf.

In the realm of literature, Torrey Peters (1822-1892) was an American poet and writer who gained recognition for her collection of poems titled "Wanderings and Musings." Her works captured the spirit of the Romantic movement and explored themes of nature, love, and spirituality.

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 Torrey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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