Surname Gorrie - Meaning and Origin
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Gorrie: What does the surname Gorrie mean?
The last name Gorrie is of Scottish origin and has multiple possible meanings. One possibility is that it is derived from the Ancient Scottish Gaelic phrase “gorraich”, meaning ‘dwelling place’ or ‘place of shelter’, suggesting the original bearer of the name may have been someone who lived in a sheltered or enclosed space. It may also come from the Gaelic “gorraigh” which means ‘to provide shelter’.
It is likely that some bearers of the last name Gorrie derived it from the place name Gorrie in Fife, Scotland. It’s possible people with the surname lived in the village or took its name as theirs. Gorrie itself is likely a corrupted form of the phrase “gor achadh” which means ‘field of oats’ in Scots Gaelic, suggesting it may have once been an area suitable for growing this type of cereal.
The last name Gorrie could also be derived from the prefix ‘Mac’ meaning ‘son of’. In this case it could be linked to the Gaelic ‘gorraidh’ which means ‘fierce one’. This suggests the original bearer of the name and their ancestors were known for their strength or ferocity.
Overall, the last name Gorrie has a long and varied history. It is probably linked to either a location, a nickname, or the phrase ‘son of’, and may suggest the original bearer of the name was strong or fearless, or simply lived in a sheltered or enclosed space.
Order DNA origin analysisGorrie: Where does the name Gorrie come from?
The last name Gorrie is most commonly found today in Scotland, the home of the Clan Gorrie. The Clan is believed to have originated in the Perthshire area and has a long, rich history involving some of Scotland’s greatest historical figures. The clan produces an impressive line of powerful chiefs who held prominent positions in Scotland's social and political life.
Today the surname is found most frequently in the southern part of Scotland, particularly in Ayrshire, where the Gorrie ancestral home is located. Many of the surname bearers in that region can trace their lineage back to the Cormac Gorrie who is believed to have settled the area in the mid 13th century.
The last name is also quite common in Inverness-shire where the family branches spread from Highland Perthshire. Clan Gorrie is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and it is possible to join by proving your bloodline to the original family.
It is also quite common in some of the neighboring northern English counties of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Gorrie family is a well known and widely respected part of the Scottish heritage and Scots with the surname can often be found throughout the world as a result of migrating.
Variations of the surname Gorrie
The surname Gorrie is believed to have may have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Gorrie: This is the most common spelling of the surname and is believed to have Anglo-Norman origins. It is often seen as a name that originated in Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is derived from the Old French given name 'Gor' meaning 'large, powerful' while the suffix 'ie' denotes 'son of'.
Gorry: This spelling of the name is mainly found in Ireland, particularly Limerick and County Cork. It is a variant of the surname 'MacGorry' which means 'son of a swarthy one' in Irish.
Gorrye/Gorrey/Gorreye/Gory/Gorye: These are variants of the surname that can be found mainly in the Netherlands, France, Germany and England.
Gorra/Gorrah/Gorrahn: These variants are mainly found among the Amish community in North America and Pennsylvania. The Amish are believed to be descendants of French researchers who settled in Pennsylvania during the 18th century.
Gorey: This variant is found mainly in England and Ireland and is derived from the placename Gorey in County Wexford, Ireland.
Gorrie/Gorrie/Gorri/Gorren: These are believed to be Russian or Jewish variants of the name Gorrie.
McGorry: This is an Irish variant of the name and means 'son of a swarthy one'.
McGorrie/McGorrey: These are both Scottish variants of the name, likely derived from the surname McGregor.
Gladwyne: This spelling is found mainly in England and Wales. This variation is a derivative of the Celtic language and translates to 'happy friend'.
These variants, spellings and surnames are all believed to have the same origin as the surname Gorrie and can be found in various countries throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Gorrie
- Ramsay Gorrie: Ramsay is a musical artist from Albury, Australia who creates music that blends jazz, hip hop, and global electronica. He is also an educator, teaching music production and performance at colleges around Australia.
- Marshall Gorrie: Marshall is an Australian actor best known for his roles in TV shows such as The Pacific and Robotboy as well as films such as 'The Host' and 'The Reef'.
- Robert Gorrie: Robert is an American actor and producer known for his roles in films such as 'Sparkle' and 'A Dogwalkers Christmas Tale'. He has also appeared in several TV shows, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Revenge.
- Andrew Gorrie: Andrew is a Scottish-born Australian sculptor known for creating life-size sculptures of animals, iconic characters, and public figures. He has also created works of public art for the Sydney CBD and other locations around Australia.
- Matthew Gorrie: Matthew is a British-born Australian actor and writer currently based in Melbourne. He has appeared in several TV shows and films throughout Australia, including 'Combo Nation', 'Pacific Heat', and 'Deliver Us from Evil'.
- Jane Gorrie: Jane is an Australian author and illustrator based in Melbourne. She is the creator of a popular children's book series entitled 'The Adventures of Crazy Dog', as well as other works such as 'Where Wild Tulips Bloom' and 'Davey's Banjo'.