Surname Rory - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rory: What does the surname Rory mean?
The last name Rory is of Irish and Gaelic origin. It is derived from the personal name 'Ruaidhri' or 'Ruaidri' which combines the elements 'ruadh' meaning red, a reference to red hair or complexion, and 'ri' meaning king. Thus, Rory can be interpreted to mean "red king". However, it's not as common to see Rory as a last name as it is more often used as a first name in English-speaking countries.
There are various famous personalities carrying Rory as their first name, including the professional golfer Rory McIlroy and actor Rory McCann. In the world of fiction, Rory Williams is a companion in the British television series "Doctor Who", and Rory Gilmore is a character in the American series "Gilmore Girls". These instances reflect the broader usage of Rory as a given name, rather than a surname. This name has also been used for both males and females.
Order DNA origin analysisRory: Where does the name Rory come from?
The surname Rory is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Ruaidhrí, which means "descendant of Ruaidhrí". The given name Ruaidhrí translates to ‘red king’ in English, derived from the elements "ruadh" (red) and "rí" (king). In terms of its prevalence today, Rory is generally more common as a first name rather than a surname and can be found in many English-speaking countries due to the Irish diaspora. However, instances of Rory as a surname can still be traced back to its roots in Ireland. The name is also used in variations across different countries, such as Ruaraidh in Scotland, Rury in England and Ruairí in Ireland.
Variations of the surname Rory
The surname Rory, originally of Celtic Irish and Scottish origin, is related to the personal name meaning "red king". Over time, it has evolved into various forms and spellings, thanks to cultural differences and transliteration.
In Ireland, its Gaelic form Ruaidrí or Ruairí evolved into O'Ruairc, often Anglicized as O'Rourke. Variants include Ruairi, O'Rory, O'Reary, McRorie, and Rurey. The surname McRory or McRorie, implying ‘son of Rory,’ is a common Scottish version.
In Scotland, Rory has evolved into forms such as Rorie, Rorison, and Macrory. It's also seen as MacGrory, McGrory, or MacRuari in the Highland clan system, denoting "son of Rory". In the lowland, "Roryson" might be used, representing "Rory's son".
Additionally, the surname may appear as Rure, Rury, or Roory, depending on regional accents. Sometimes it's even changed completely during Anglicization, like Reay or MacRoy.
While being primarily used as a given name in English-speaking countries today, Rory can still be used as a surname. Example include the American actress Alexis Bledel, born Kimberly Alexis Blair Bledel, whose mother's surname is Rory.
It's crucial to note that spelling and variant interpretation can vary widely even within regions. Any interpretation should consider local customs, linguistic changes, and even the historical context.
Famous people with the name Rory
Rory is an uncommon last name, and there are no widely recognized celebrities or famous people with this surname. However, there are several notable individuals with Rory as a first name, such as Rory McCann, a Scottish actor known for his role as Sandor "The Hound" Clegane on "Game of Thrones"; Rory Cochrane, an American actor known for his roles in "Empire Records" and "Dazed and Confused"; Rory Kinnear, an English actor and playwright; and Rory McIlroy, a professional golfer from Northern Ireland. Please note these are individuals with Rory as a first name and not a surname.