Surname Carr - Meaning and Origin

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W. Carr

Carr: What does the surname Carr mean?

The surname Carr is of English in origin. It is derived from the Old Norse 'kjarr,' which means a swamp or marsh. It was used to denote someone who lived near a marsh or bog. It is a topographical surname, given to people based on a physical feature or geographical location near their residence. Over the centuries, its spelling has seen variations such as Carre, Kar, Cearr, Kerr, and Ker. Today, Carr is a common surname in English-speaking countries, primarily in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Despite its modest origin, the name Carr has been borne by several notable people throughout history including scientists, writers, sports personalities, and politicians. Furthermore, in Ireland, the surname Carr is often an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Carra, meaning 'descendant of Carra'. The name Carra itself is believed to represent an ancient Irish personal name. Therefore, though predominantly English, the surname Carr also has separate Irish roots.

Carr: Where does the name Carr come from?

The last name Carr is of English origin, derived from the Old Norse 'kjarr' which means 'a swamp'. It was typically used as a surname for people who lived near a swamp or marshland. The surname Carr gained popularity in Northern England, especially in areas influenced by Scandinavian settlers.

Carr is also common in Ireland, where it was often adopted as an anglicized version of several Gaelic surnames like Ó Carra meaning 'descendant of Carra', a personal name implying 'spear'. Some English bearers of the amended surname are descended from the Irish.

Today, the surname Carr is still quite prevalent in Northern England and Ireland, but its reach has significantly spread due to migration and diaspora. It is especially common in the United States, partly due to numerous Irish and English immigrants who carried the surname to the 'New World'. As per official data, Carr is ranked as the 156th most popular surname in the United States. It is also found, albeit in smaller numbers, in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand amongst other English-speaking nations.

Variations of the surname Carr

The surname Carr has several variants and spellings which can be attributed to geographical locations, cultural influences and historical shifts in pronunciation and spelling. Some of these variants and similar surnames include Kerr (popular in Scotland), Ker, Car, Kar, Karr, and Kaer.

It may also be traced back to other roots, resulting in surnames of the same or similar origins, such as McCarr, O’Carr (Irish roots), or even the German surname Karrer, signifying a carter or carrier.

Carr is believed to be derived from the Old Norse 'kjarr', meaning a swamp, and was originally given as a topographic name for someone who lived near a marshy area. In the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for a surname to be derived from the location where a family was based or held land.

Sometimes Carr might be an Anglicised version of the Gaelic Ó Carra, meaning 'descendant of Carra'. Carra itself could be a byname meaning 'spear', or it could be a short form of a compound name with this first element.

Famous people with the name Carr

• Alan Carr: English comedian and TV personality.
• Derek Carr: American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL.
• Jimmy Carr: British stand-up comedian and TV host.
• Caitlin Carr: Actress known for her role in the film "A Little Princess".
• Charmian Carr: American actress, best known for her role in "The Sound of Music".
• David Carr: Former American football quarterback, who played in the NFL.
• John Dickson Carr: Popular mystery writer.
• Marina Carr: Irish playwright.
• Rob Carr: Professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.
• Caleb Carr: American military historian and author.
• Eric Carr: American musician and drummer for the rock band KISS.
• Howie Carr: American journalist, author, and conservative radio talk-show host.
• Vikki Carr: American singer who predominantly sang in Spanish.
• Chris Carr: Retired professional American basketball player.
• Kris Carr: New York Times best-selling author and wellness activist.
• Audrey Carr: Illustrator known for her children's books.
• Ben Carr: American musician known for his association with the band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Other surnames

CarCarabajalCarabineCaradineCaraherCaravajalCarawayCarbachCarbajalCarbaughCarbenderCarberryCarberyCarboughCardCardelCardellCardenCardenasCardensCardenteCardeyCardiCardiffCardiganCardile