Norrington

The surname Norrington is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is a locational name, derived from the place name "Norrington" or "North Ryton" in Shropshire. The name is a compound of the Old English words "nord" meaning north and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement, suggesting it originated from a northern village or town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from 1195, where it appears as "de Norrington." This indicates that the surname was already in use by the late 12th century and was likely adopted by families residing in or originating from the village of Norrington.

Another notable historical reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mention a John de Norrington. This suggests that by the 14th century, the surname had spread beyond its place of origin and was being used by individuals who may have migrated to other parts of England.

In the 15th century, the surname can be found in various records, such as the Register of the Gild of the Holy Cross in Stratford-upon-Avon from 1490, which lists a William Norrington. This indicates the surname's presence in the region of Warwickshire during that period.

One notable figure in history associated with the surname Norrington is Sir John Norrington (c. 1546-1622), an English naval commander and Vice-Admiral who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He was involved in several notable battles against the Spanish Armada and played a crucial role in securing English naval supremacy during that era.

Another notable individual was Edward Norrington (1670-1736), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Ripon Cathedral in Yorkshire from 1727 until his death.

In the 18th century, the surname appears in records such as the Baptismal Register of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, which lists the baptism of a child named Mary Norrington in 1723.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in North America can be found in the passenger list of the ship "Truelove" in 1635, which carried a passenger named Francis Norrington from England to Virginia.

Throughout history, the surname Norrington has been associated with various notable figures, including Sir Edward Norrington (1824-1908), a British diplomat and colonial administrator who served as Governor of Jamaica from 1888 to 1892, and Sir Arthur Norrington (1860-1949), a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and World War I.