Norris Family Crest, Coat of Arms & Norris Name Origin

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Origin of the Name Norris

The Norris family history was found in the allfamilycrests.com archives. Meaning 'the Noreis', Norris is a locational name from a man from the North, often Norwegian. Variants include Norrish, Norriss, Norreys and Norrie. This name is of Anglo-Saxon descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland , Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout these countries. Examples of such are a Thomas de Noreis who was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls', England , in the year 1273 and a Walter le Noreis who was recorded in the 'Writs of Parliament' in the year 1313. In Scotland a Robert le Norreis witnessed a charter by Earl Gospatric, to the priory of Coldingham, in the year 1166, and a William Norrensis witnessed a charter by Malcolm, Earl of Fife, in the year 1228. In Ireland the name is very often found in Irish records since the thirteenth century, and came into special prominence with the arrival of Sir John Norris, who was involved with the terrible massacre at Rathlin Island in the year 1575.