Moore Last Name Origin

Michelle Wilson - September 3, 2022

Knowing your family history is an exciting journey, especially when tracing your surname back to its original roots. Whether you’re just starting or trying to uncover new details about your family tree, the last name origin is essential to your understanding. There are currently several distinct sources of the Moore last name originating in Ireland. Many of the names will arise from the Anglo-Norman “Strongbow” invasion within the 12th century. A few of these became known as de Mora. Other last names are translated from “O Mordha,” from the original word mordha. Mordha roughly translates into noble or safety.

Alternatively, the English origin of the surname derives from the personal name “More.” This name derives from the Old French word “maur,” meaning “Moor.” Moor meant an area of uncultivated land. It was taken as a surname in Cheshire (Moore) and Shropshire (More). Eventually, it evolved from a personal name to a surname, which came to Britain with the Normans.

Understanding the Original Origins of the Moore Family Tree

The first origins of the surname Moore began in Leicestershire before appearing in Ireland. Moor-Town in Yorkshire maintained early significance to the family lineage. Anciently, the location belonged to the Moore family, who flourished at a very early period.

Additionally, Barmbrough or Barnbrough in the West Riding of Yorkshire was another branch of the family name. John More, the only heir of Sir Thomas, obtained the property through marriage with Ann Cresacre. Her family had settled there during the reign of Edward I. Currently, the surname dominates in Northern Ireland, followed closely by the United States. Within the United States, Moore is most frequently found in the southern states, including Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

Other Branches of Moore Surname

Kirkdale in Lancashire was another branch of the family in early historic times. The first individual on record, Randle de la Moore, appeared at the sessions of the justices in eyre at Lancaster in 1246. Historically, his name frequently appears in documents of the time of Henry III and Edward I. John de la Moore, Edward’s oldest son, also attested to many charters. Records indicate he was one of the three attorneys found by the borough of Liverpool. Researchers uncovered the Moore last name in Munster, where the family firmly established the title after the Strongbow invasion of Ireland in 1172. The name originates from O’Mordha, which became Anglicised as O’More and More. Throughout time, the spelling shifted to become Moore. Historically speaking, the O’Mores were considered a powerful sept in Ireland.

Notable Individuals in the Moore Family (pre-1700)

The most notable Moore within the family at this time was Rory O’More (d. 1557) and his son Rory Og O’More. Both individuals were Irish leaders in the wars against the English. Rory O’Moore was also an Irish landowner of ancient lineage, notable for being one of the principal organizers of the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Famous People with the Last Name Moore

Demi Moore

Demi Moore is an American actress. She was born in 1962 in Roswell, New Mexico. Moore dropped out of school at 16 to work as a pin-up girl, eventually marrying rock musician Freddy Moore at 18. She made her film debut in 1981, appearing in television series and movies. Notably, she appeared in the popular soap opera General Hospital from 1982-1984 and gained recognition from her roles in Blame It on Rio, Elmo’s Fire, and About Last Night.

Mandy Moore

Amanda Leigh Moore was born on April 10, 1984. She is an American songwriter, singer, and actress. Her original musical debut, “Candy,” brought her instant fame, peaking at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eventually, Moore made her film debut in 2001 with minor voice roles in Dr. Dolittle 2. Subsequently, she starred as Lana Thomas in The Princess Diaries comedy film. In 2019, Moore received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Roger Moore

Sir Roger George Moore was born on October 14, 1927 and died in May 2017. He was an English actor, the third individual to portray the fictional British secret agent James Bond. He played the character in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. Moore was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Moore for his charity service. Moore received a start on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 for his contributions to the American film industry. 

Albert Moore

Albert Moore was born on December 26, 1862 and died on September 14, 1916. He was an American private serving the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion. Moore received the Medal of Honor for bravery in 1901. Moore received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Peking, China, from July 21-August 17, 1900. He is buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.

Abra Moore

Abra Moore was born on June 8, 1969. She is an American folk-styled rock singer and songwriter. Moore’s brother greatly influenced her musical career, dating back to the music played during her childhood. Moore was the founding member of the Hawaiian rock band Poi Dog Pondering but eventually left to pursue a solo career. Her 1997 album included the hit “Four Leaf Clover,” which received airplay in the Midwest U.S. radio, charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Franklin Moore was born on April 20, 1970. He is an American actor and model with notable roles in The Young and the Restless (1994-2005), Criminal Minds (2005-2016), and the lead role in S.W.A.T. (2017-present). Moore worked as a model during college, signing to D.N.A. Model Management in New York City. He appeared in the March 2009 issue of Men’s Fitness magazine. Moore has won eight N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He was nominated for a People’s Choice Award in 2016 for his work on Criminal Minds.

Wilcy Moore

William Wilcy “Cy” Moore (May 20, 1897-March 29, 1963) was a professional baseball right-handed pitcher over six seasons with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He also led the American League in E.R.A. as a rookie in 1927. He also won the fourth and final game of the 1932 World Series, which saw the Yankees defeat the Chicago Cubs. He was frequently referred to as Major League Baseball’s greatest team of all time.

Conclusion

Just as knowing your family tree is critical to your growth and understanding of your history, knowing the Moore last name origin connects missing pieces of your past. With strong connections to Ireland and England, historians and researchers always held the Moore last name in high regard.