Find out how popular the last name Orris is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Orris.

Orris, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Orris surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Orris in America

Orris is the 15363rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Orris surname appeared 1,909 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Orris.

We can also compare 2010 data for Orris to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Orris

The surname Orris is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "ora," which means "edge" or "border," potentially referring to someone who lived near a boundary or border region.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable mention is in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1291, where a certain Richard Orrys is listed as a landowner.

Interestingly, the surname appears to have been more prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, where it was often associated with specific place names. For example, the town of Orris or Orridge near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, may have contributed to the name's origin and early use.

Over the centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Orris, Orrys, Orridge, and Orrige, reflecting the fluidity of surnames during those times.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Orris name was William Orris, a prominent landowner and nobleman who lived in Gloucestershire during the 14th century. His descendants continued to hold significant influence in the region for several generations.

Another notable figure was John Orris, a successful merchant and alderman in the City of London during the 16th century. He was actively involved in the wool trade and left a substantial fortune upon his death in 1578.

In the 17th century, Thomas Orris gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder, contributing to the construction of several notable structures in London, including parts of the Old Bailey and St. Paul's Cathedral.

During the English Civil War, Captain Richard Orris fought alongside the Parliamentarian forces and played a role in several key battles, including the Battle of Edgehill in 1642.

In the literary world, Mary Orris, a renowned poet and playwright, made her mark in the 18th century. Her works were widely acclaimed and influenced the cultural landscape of the time.

While these are just a few examples, the Orris surname has a rich and diverse history, spanning various regions of England and encompassing individuals from different walks of life, from nobles and merchants to soldiers and artists.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Orris

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Orris.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Orris was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Orris has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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