Surname Lorrimer - Meaning and Origin
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Lorrimer: What does the surname Lorrimer mean?
The last name Lorrimer is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered an occupational surname. The name Lorrimer originally derived from the Old French word "lorimer," which means "bridle-maker" or "bit-maker." It was a name usually given to those who were crafters or merchants specializing in making bits, spurs, and metal mounting for horse bridles during the medieval times. Over time, the spelling of the surname has undergone changes and variations, sometimes appearing as Lorrimore, Lorriman, or Lorimer. Despite the varied spellings, the fundamental meaning and occupation linked to the name remains consistent. It is worth mentioning that occupational surnames are a distinguishing characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon culture, where the name not only identified the person but also their profession, thereby providing a significant insight into the society and lifestyle of the times.
Order DNA origin analysisLorrimer: Where does the name Lorrimer come from?
The surname Lorrimer originates from Scotland, where it is derived from the Old French word "lorimer," which means "bit maker" or "bridle maker." This suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely engaged in making bits and bridles for horses, a specialized branch of the blacksmith's trade. The name first appears in record in the early 13th century as "Lorimer" and over time, evolved into various forms including Lorrimore, Lorriman, and Lorrimer.
While the name has its origins in Scotland, individuals and families bearing this surname have since migrated across the globe due to historical events like the Scottish diaspora. Today, the surname Lorrimer is common in various part of the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, as well as its country of origin, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. Despite its dispersion, it is not a very common surname and therefore, its presence in these countries might be scarce.
Variations of the surname Lorrimer
The surname Lorrimer is of French occupational origin, referring to a 'maker of bits and spurs', from the Old French 'lorimer'. Variations of the surname include Lorimer, Lorrimore, Lorriman, Lorrimer, Lorrimar, Lorrimore, Lorriman and Lorrimer. All these variants are due to regional and personal preferences for different spellings over the centuries.
The anglicization of the name brought about more modifications, which produced versions such as Lorimore and Lorrimer. Surname recording in Scotland introduced further variations, including Laurie, Lawrie, Lowrie, and Lowry.
There is a possibility of the name having a Gaelic source as well, since "Lorimer" in Gaelic means "watcher of the sea."
Also, in America, spelling changes were common among many names due to pronunciation and random registry errors. Notably, the difficulty in pronunciation and spelling of non-English names led to many variations.
For the surname Lorrimer, researching one variation might lead to information about the other variants thanks to their common occupational origin which is related to the craft of metalworking in the medieval times. So, researching your family history might require looking into all these different variants of the surname.
Famous people with the name Lorrimer
- Sir John Lorrimer QC: Former Labour MP and Public Services Commissioner for Northern Ireland
- Bill Lorrimer: Radio presenter, author, and broadcaster
- Sir Arthur Lorrimer: Former Lord Justice of Appeal
- Sir Alan Lorrimer: Former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and PC
- Barry Lorrimer: British film and television actor
- David Lorrimer: British actor
- Ken Lorrimer: Lawyer and former MP for North Islington
- Sheila Lorrimer: Historian
- Helmut Lorrimer: Canadian Air Force Major General
- Janice Lorrimer: Novelist and short story author
- Peta Lorrimer: Costume designer for theatre and television
- Simon Lorrimer: Composer
- Steve Lorrimer: Footballer
- Tony Lorrimer: Theatre director and producer