Surname Loring - Meaning and Origin
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Loring: What does the surname Loring mean?
The last name Loring is an English name primarily associated with the southeastern counties of England. It can also be found in parts of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The roots of this surname are varied, but likely derive from the Old Norse word 'laurgr' or 'lárgr' meaning laurel or a laurel hedge. The name was then likely adopted by a family in England as a place name; one of the earliest known recorded uses of the name being in 1086 from a location in Surrey named Loring, with the earliest recorded as a surname in the 13th century.
The last name has also been allocated to several towns, parishes, monuments and monuments and castles throughout Britain including the town of Loring in Surry, St Giles Loring in Kent, Elsing Loring Hall in Norfolk and Penlington Loring in Dorset. The Loring family is also associated with the nearby area of Little Bentley and the former monastery of Holy Trinity Lorton near Oxford.
The name Loring is also associated with a strong military presence, as the family had UNESCO heritage defined Lordship rights over several castles in Antrim, Ireland, and had held the title of ‘King of the Gules’ due to their armorial significance. Over the centuries, the Loring family has built up a strong reputation as a safe haven for protecting family members and allies.
Today, a few recognizable notables of the Loring name include American photographer, Amy Loring, and the comedian, actor and writer, John Loring.
Order DNA origin analysisLoring: Where does the name Loring come from?
The last name Loring is largely found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 population estimates for surnames, there are currently around 14,840 people with the last name, making it the 1,528th most common last name. The largest numbers of Lorings live in the state of Massachusetts, where it ranks as the 86th most popular surname. It is also a surname which is quite common in Maine, where it is the 85th most popular surname. In both of these states, the Loring name is prevalent in coastal communities, especially around Portland Maine.
The Loring surname is believed to originate from the French l’orenger, which literally means ‘the orange tree grower’ and was a term of endearment given to those with orange blossom in their gardens. The orange tree symbolized fertility and hence, the name came to suggest fertility in one's children and success in life. The association of the surname Loring with French roots likely made it a popular choice for immigrants from the continent when coming to the United States.
Today, the Loring surname is not any more common than it was a century ago, though within certain communities as discussed, the family's numbers have stayed strong. Many with the Loring name have a deep sense of pride for their ancestry and are proud to carry on the name and traditions that have been handed down the generations.
Variations of the surname Loring
The surname Loring is derived from the Old English personal name Lawrence. It can appear with a variety of different spelling variants including Lawrance, Larrance, Laurynce, Lawrens, Lawrenz, Laurens, Lorans, Lorantz, Lorance, Lorins and Lorincz. It has also been used in other forms such as Lorring and Lorringer.
Other surnames derived from the same root include Lowry, Laurence, and Lawrence. Variants of the surname occurring in different countries include Lorenz in Germany, Lorincz in Hungary, and Lorenzo in Italy and Spain.
The Loring surname has also been used as a given name, and appears as the first name of many families in the United States. The name is relatively common in the United Kingdom, with the number of people bearing the Loring surname triple that of names derived from Lawrence and Lawrence-like personal names.
In Britain, some distinct branches of the Loring family can be traced to Ulster, Buckinghamshire, and Gloucestershire. In Ireland, descendants of the Loring family of Ireland can be found in Galway and Donegal.
The Loring surname is also found in France, the Netherlands, and parts of Africa. In the United States, particularly in the New England region, there are many families of English descent that bear the surname Loring.
Famous people with the name Loring
- Melissa Loring: American actress, known for her roles in Super, Doris in Paradise, and Into the Woods.
- Charlie Loring: American film actor, best remembered for his roles in the films of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
- Mary Loring: American film actress, whose work spanned from 1915 to 1948.
- Richard Loring: British actor, appearing in films such as The Third Man, The Hill, and The Masque of the Red Death.
- William Loring: English actor, appearing in stage productions such as The Lion in Winter and Laughter in the Dark.
- Nell Loring: American stage and screen actress, appearing in films such as Temptations of a Bachelor and Women of Paris.
- Clifford Loring: American actor, known for his roles in television series such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Time Tunnel.
- Kenneth Loring: American actor and director, known for directing the TV series Car 54, Where Are You?
- Helen Loring: American actress, known for her roles in films such as Spoonful of Poison, Last of the Redmen, and This Is the Life.
- Nick Loring: American actor, appearing in films such as Message from Space, Night of the Lepus, and Sorceress.