Norris is an English surname. In some cases it is derived from the

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

''norreis'', ''noreis'', ''norais''; and the

Anglo-Norman French Anglo-Norman, also known as Anglo-Norman French ( nrf, Anglo-Normaund) ( French: ), was a dialect of Old Norman French that was used in England and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere in Great Britain and Ireland during the Anglo-Norman period. When ...

''noreis''. In such cases the surname derived from elements meaning "northerner", and referred to people from

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

, and northern

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

and

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

. In other cases, the surname is derived from the Middle English personal name ''Norreis'', which is in turn derived from ''norreis''. In other cases the surname is derived from the Middle English ''norice'', ''nurice''; and the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...

''norrice'', ''nurrice''. In such cases, the surname is derived from elements meaning "nurse", "foster parent".

Notable people

Surname

Andrea Norris Andrea T. Norris is an American information technology executive and former civil servant. She was the chief information officer of the National Institutes of Health and director of its Center for Information Technology from 2011 to 2022. Norris ...

, American information technology executive and civil servant *

Anthony Norris Anthony Norris (born June 6, 1963) is an American retired professional wrestler and football player. He is best known for his appearances with the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1995 to 1998, under the rin ...

, American professional wrestler * Ben Norris (1910–2006), American artist *

Ben Norris (actor) Ben Norris (born , Nottingham) is a British poet, playwright and actor. Early life and education Norris was born and grew up in Nottingham. He performed with the British Youth Music Theatre in ''Mort'' in 2007/2008 and ''According to Brian Haw'' ...

(born 1991/1992), British actor, playwright and poet * Ben Norris (comedian) (active 1993-), British standup comic * Bonita Norris (born 1987), British mountain climber *

Carli Norris Carli Jo Norris (born 23 June 1974) is an English actress, known for her roles as Anoushka Flynn in ''Doctors (2000 TV series), Doctors'', Martha Kane in ''Hollyoaks'' and taking over the role of Belinda Peacock in ''EastEnders''. Career In Ju ...

(born 1974), English actress * Charles Norris (disambiguation) * Chester E. Norris (1927–2016), American diplomat *

Christopher Norris (disambiguation) Christopher Norris may refer to: *Christopher Norris (actress) Christopher Norris is an American movie and television actress. She is probably best known for her portrayal of nurse Gloria "Ripples" Brancusi in the television series ''Trapper J ...

Chuck Norris Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. He is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championshi ...

, American actor and martial artist * Chuck Norris (musician), American guitarist * Clint Norris, American musician *

Craig Norris Craig Norris is a Canadian rock singer and radio personality. He is the lead singer for The Kramdens, and is also a host on CBC Radio. Originally heard on CBC Radio 3, including the network's weekly record chart show ''The R3-30'', he was also a h ...

, Canadian musician and radio broadcaster *

Daniel Norris Daniel David Norris (born April 25, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers ...

(born 1993), American baseball player *

Daran Norris Daran Morrison Nordland (born ), known professionally as Daran Norris, is an American actor. He has appeared or voiced characters in more than 400 films, video games, and television programs, including: Gordy in ''Ned's Declassified School Surviv ...

, American actor *

David Norris (footballer) David Martin Norris (born 20 February 1981) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Lancaster City. Born in Stamford, he has played in the Football League for Hull City, Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth, Lee ...

, English association football player *

David Norris (politician) David Patrick Bernard Norris (born 31 July 1944) is an Irish scholar, independent Senator and civil rights activist. Internationally, Norris is credited with having "managed, almost single-handedly, to overthrow the anti-homosexuality law whi ...

, Irish civil rights campaigner and politician * David Norris (speedway rider), English speedway rider *

Dean Norris Dean Joseph Norris (born April 8, 1963) is an American actor. He is best known for playing DEA agent Hank Schrader on the AMC series '' Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013) and its spin-off ''Better Call Saul'' (2020). He also portrayed town councilm ...

, American actor * Evelyn Norris, Singaporean educator *

Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire (6 July 1579 – 31 January 1622) was an English nobleman with the title of Earl of Berkshire. He was the son of Captain Sir William Norreys (d. 1579) and Elizabeth Morison, daughter of Sir Richard Morriso ...

Frank Norris Benjamin Franklin Norris Jr. (March 5, 1870 – October 25, 1902) was an American journalist and novelist during the Progressive Era, whose fiction was predominantly in the naturalist genre. His notable works include '' McTeague: A Story of San ...

, American novelist *

Frank Norris (bishop) Francis Lushington Norris (1 September 1864 – 2 July 1945) was an Anglican missionary bishop. Norris was educated at Winchester College and Trinity College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1888, his first ministry position was as a curate at Tewkesbury A ...

, Anglican bishop in China *

Fred Norris Eric Fred Norris (born Fred Leo Nukis; July 9, 1955) is an American radio personality and the longest-tenured staff member of ''The Howard Stern Show'', aside from Howard Stern, Stern himself. He first met Howard Stern while working at WCCC (FM ...

, American radio personality *

Frederick Norris Frederick Norris (4 September 1921 – 13 December 2006) was a British long-distance runner. Athletics career Born in Tyldesley, Norris competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Fred Norris was born in Tyldesl ...

, British marathon runner *

Galen Norris Galen Clark Norris (November 7, 1915 – August 10, 2001) was a provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1959 to 1971. Early life Galen Clark Noris was born on November ...

(1915–2001), Canadian politician *

George W. Norris George William Norris (July 11, 1861September 2, 1944) was an American politician from the state of Nebraska in the Midwestern United States. He served five terms in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican, from 1903 until 1913 ...

, member of the U.S. Congress and Senator from Nebraska * Henry Norris (disambiguation) *

Hermione Norris Hermione Jane Norris (born 5 December 1966) is an English actress. She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in the 1980s, before taking small roles in theatre and on television. In 1996, she was cast in her breakout role of Ka ...

, English actress * Ina Norris, American actress *

J. Frank Norris John Franklyn Norris (September 18, 1877 – August 20, 1952) was a Baptist preacher and controversial Christian fundamentalist. Biography J. Frank Norris was born in Dadeville in Tallapoosa County in eastern Alabama, but the family shortly ...

, controversial Texas Baptist preacher * Jacob Norris (disambiguation), several people * James Norris (footballer) (born 2003), English football player *

James E. Norris James E. Norris (December 10, 1879 – December 4, 1952) was a Canadian-American businessman, operating companies in the grain and cattle industries, and owner of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. He also had significant owne ...

, person after whom the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the National Hockey League is named *

James J. Norris James Joseph Norris was an American advocate for refugees and migrants. The first president of the International Catholic Migration Commission, he oversaw the assistance given to more than 200,000 migrants and refugees between 1951 and 1974. A per ...

, American advocate for refugees and recipient of UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award *

Jared Norris Jared Scott Norris (born July 19, 1993) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played football at Centennial High School in Bakersfield, California, where he was a three-year letterman and earned All-State honors during h ...

, American football player * Jesse Norris, American powerlifter * Joanna Norris, New Zealand journalist * John Norris (disambiguation) * Josef Norris (born 1965), American artist *

Josh Norris Joshua Norris (born May 5, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks a ...

, American ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators * Joz Norris (born 1989), British comedian * Justin Norris, Australian swimmer * Kathi Norris (1919–2005), American TV hostess of the 1940s and 1950s *

Kathleen Norris Kathleen Thompson Norris (July 16, 1880 – January 18, 1966) was an American novelist and newspaper columnist. She was one of the most widely read and highest paid female writers in the United States for nearly fifty years, from 1911 to 1959. N ...

(1880–1966), American novelist *

Kathleen Norris (poet) Kathleen Norris (born July 27, 1947) is a poet and essayist. Biography Kathleen Norris was born in Washington, D.C., on July 27, 1947. As a child, Norris moved to Hawaii with her parents, John Norris and Lois Totten, and in 1965 graduated from ...

(born 1947), American poet, essayist and devotional writer * Kenneth True Norris Jr. (1930–1996), American businessman *

Lando Norris Lando Norris (born 13 November 1999) is a Belgian-British racing driver currently competing in Formula One with McLaren, racing under the British flag. He won the MSA Formula championship in 2015, and the Toyota Racing Series, Eurocup Formul ...

(born 1999), British-Belgian racing driver *

Lee Norris Lee Michael Norris (born September 25, 1981) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Stuart Minkus on ''Boy Meets World'' and its spin-off ''Girl Meets World'', as well as Marvin "Mouth" McFadden on ''One Tree Hill''. Norris appear ...

, American actor * Lennie Norris (born 1951), English swimmer *

Leslie Norris George Leslie Norris (21 May 1921 – 6 April 2006), was a prize-winning Welsh poet and short story writer. He taught at academic institutions in Britain and the United States, including Brigham Young University. Norris is considered one of ...

, Welsh poet *

Luke Norris (actor) Luke Norris (born 1 September 1985) is an English actor best known for playing Dr Dwight Enys in ''Poldark ''Poldark'' is a series of historical novels by Winston Graham, published from 1945 to 1953 and continued from 1973 to 2002. The f ...

(born 1985), English actor *

Marcus Norris Marcus Anthony Norris (born August 20, 1974) is an American former basketball player, who played for 17 years in Europe, in the guard position. He was the 2003-04 Israeli Basketball Premier League Defensive Player of the Year. Early life and educ ...

(born 1974), American basketball player *

Mark Norris (Canadian politician) Mark Norris (born 1962) is an Alberta politician, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, MLA and candidate for the 2006 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election, leadership of the Progressive Conservative Associatio ...

Mary Norris (copy editor) Mary Norris (born February 7, 1952) is an American author, writer and copy editor for ''The New Yorker''. Early life Mary Norris was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1974 and earned a master's degree in Engl ...

(born 1952), American author, writer and copy editor * Mary Harriott Norris, American writer and educator * Matthew Norris South African Businessman *

Michele Norris Michele L. Norris ( ; born September 7, 1961) is an American journalist who has worked as an opinion columnist with ''The Washington Post'' since 2019. From 2002 until 2011, she was co-host of the National Public Radio (NPR) evening news progra ...

, American radio journalist * Michelle Norris, first female winner of Military Cross (UK) *

Mike Norris (businessman) Michael John Norris (born October 1961) is the chief executive officer of Computacenter plc and the Non-Executive Chairman of Triage Services Ltd. Early life and education Norris was born in Chelmsford and educated in Southend-on-Sea, both in ...

(born 1961), British businessman * Mikki Norris (born 1952), American activist *

Moochie Norris Martyn Bernard "Moochie" Norris (born July 27, 1973) is an American former professional basketball player who played several seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as other leagues. He is the head coach of the Houston Push ...

, American basketball player * Olivia Norris (born 1983), German javelin thrower *

Patrick Norris Patrick R. Norris is an American television director. His directing credits include ''Chuck'', '' Friday Night Lights'', ''Gossip Girl'', ''The Vampire Diaries'', ''Hidden Palms'', ''Related'', ''Bones'', '' North Shore'', ''The Division'', ''T ...

(born 1976), television director *

Paul Norris Paul Leroy Norris (April 26, 1914 – November 5, 2007) was an American comic book artist best known as co-creator of the DC Comics superhero Aquaman, and for a 35-year run as artist of the newspaper comic strip ''Brick Bradford''. Biography Ea ...

, American comic book artist *

Philetus Norris Philetus W. Norris (August 17, 1821 – January 14, 1885) was the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park and was the first person to be paid for that position. Early life Philetus Walter Norris was born in Palmyra, New York on Aug ...

, second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park *

Ralph Norris Sir Ralph Norris, KNZM (born 1949) is an Australasian business leader, knighted for services to New Zealand business in 2009. He transitioned from CIO to CEO, leading business and culture transformations across different industries. Currently t ...

(born 1949), Australasian business executive * Rex Norris (disambiguation) *

Roger Norreis Roger Norreis (died between 1223 and 1225) was Abbot of Evesham in England. He was a controversial figure, installed in several offices against opposition. In his appointment to Evesham, he was accused of immoral behaviour and failing to follow ...

(died c. 1224), Abbot of Evesham * Roy Norris (1948–2020), one of the two Toolbox Killers *

Septimus Norris Septimus Norris (1818 – 1862) was an American mechanical engineer and steam locomotive designer. He was the youngest of three brothers all active in the field — his eldest brother William Norris (locomotive builder), William Norris founded ...

, American locomotive designer *

Steven Norris Steven John Norris (born 24 May 1945 in Liverpool) is a British Conservative Party politician and businessman. Norris served as Member of Parliament for Oxford East from 1983 to 1987. After narrowly losing that marginal seat in 1987 he re-ente ...

, British politician * Sylvester Norris (1572–1630), English Roman Catholic writer *

Sir Thomas Norris Sir Thomas Norris (1556–1599) was an English soldier. He sat in the Irish House of Commons, and was made Lord President of Munster in Ireland. His last name is sometimes spelt Norreys. Family He was the fifth son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron ...

, British Soldier * Tom Norris (disambiguation) *

Tony Norris Cuthbert Antony Norris (9 January 1917 in Cradley, Worcestershire – 25 February 2005 in Worcester) was an English ornithologist. He was a member of the RSPB's council in the 1950s and 1960s, chairing its finance and general purposes committee ...

, British ornithologist *

William Norris (antiquarian) William Norris (1719–1791) was an English clergyman and antiquarian. Life He was brother to Robert Norris. He was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on 4 April 1754, and that year began to assist Joseph Ames as secretary to the soc ...

(1719–1791), English clergyman and antiquarian * Rex Norris,Famous Anglo-Indian olympic hockey player - Father of Ron Norris * Ron Norris,Famous Anglo-Indian olympic boxer - Son of Rex Norris

Given name

Norris Cole Norris Gene Cole II (born October 13, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. A 6' 2" point guard, he is a two-time NBA champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami ...

, American basketball player *

Norris Coleman Norris James Coleman (born September 27, 1961) is an American retired professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 1987 NBA draft. A 6'8" forward from Kansas State Uni ...

(born 1961), NBA forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, 1994 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP *

Norris McWhirter Norris Dewar McWhirter (12 August 192519 April 2004) was a British writer, political activist, co-founder of The Freedom Association, and a television presenter. He and his twin brother Ross were known internationally for the founding of ''Gui ...

, co-compiler of ''The Guinness Book of Records'' * Norris Denton Wilson (1938–2017), known by his stage name

Norro Wilson Norris Denton "Norro" Wilson (April 4, 1938 – June 8, 2017) was an American country music singer-songwriter, producer, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Wilson wrote or co-wrote numerous hit songs during more than 40 yea ...

, American country music singer-songwriter

Fictional characters

* Arthur Norris, a character in the novel ''

Mr Norris Changes Trains ''Mr Norris Changes Trains'' (published in the United States as ''The Last of Mr. Norris'') is a 1935 novel by the British writer Christopher Isherwood. It is frequently included with ''Goodbye to Berlin'', another Isherwood novel, in a singl ...

'' by

Christopher Isherwood Christopher William Bradshaw Isherwood (26 August 1904 – 4 January 1986) was an Anglo-American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, autobiographer, and diarist. His best-known works include '' Goodbye to Berlin'' (1939), a semi-autobiographical ...

* Norris (''Chrono Cross''), a character in the PlayStation game ''Chrono Cross'' *

, a character in ''Coronation Street'', a British TV soap opera * Mrs. Norris, a character in Jane Austen's ''

Mansfield Park ''Mansfield Park'' is the third published novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1814 by Thomas Egerton. A second edition was published in 1816 by John Murray, still within Austen's lifetime. The novel did not receive any public reviews unt ...

'' * Mrs. Norris, the pet cat of Argus Filch in the ''Harry Potter'' novels and films * Norris Packard, a character from the '' Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team'' OVA

References

{{surname English-language surnames