Surname Mortimore - Meaning and Origin
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Mortimore: What does the surname Mortimore mean?
The surname Mortimore is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "mort," meaning "dead," "immortal," or "one who was a dweller by the stagnant water," and "mere," which refers to a lake or a pond. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'dweller by the stagnant lake' or 'one who lives by the dead sea'. It is a geographical surname, given to people residing near such locations. The name originated in Devonshire, England, before it spread to other parts of the world due to migration and resettlement. Over the centuries, it has existed in many variations including Mortimer, Mortimore, Mortimar and others.
Order DNA origin analysisMortimore: Where does the name Mortimore come from?
Mortimore is most common in Europe, particularly in regions with strong French and English influences. In England, Mortimores are most commonly found in the East Midlands, around the cities of Manchester, Leicester and Nottingham, with records of the name stretching back to at least the 13th century. In France, Mortimores are most commonly found in Paris, Brittany and Normandy, where they have been located since the 9th century. Mortimores have been found in other European countries, including Germany, Spain and Italy. In the United States, Mortimores mostly trace their heritage back to England, although smaller populations can be found on the East Coast cities of New York and Philadelphia. Mortimores have also been found in Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa and parts of Asia, although there is not much information available about the population sizes in these areas. Mortimores are relatively uncommon today, primarily located in Europe, North America and parts of Asia.
Variations of the surname Mortimore
Variants of the Mortimore surname include Mortimer, Mortmore, Mortimore, Mortemore, Mortimore, Mortimor, Mortimoree, and Mortimour. All of these variants are derived from the Old French personal name Mortemer, a combination of the elements mort, meaning “dead,” and mer, meaning “great.” This name is thought to have been originally a byname for a brave warrior.
Although the variants of the Mortimore surname all began from the same family name, different spellings that have emerged over the course of time. Spellings of the Mortimore surname can now include Mortimore, Mortimoree, Mortimor, Mortemore, Mortimour, Mortimore, and Mortimer.
Similar surnames that have an origin in the Mortimore name are Mortimor, Mortimoree, Mortimour, Mortemore, and Mortmore. In addition to these related surnames that have the same root, associated surnames can also include Mortimore-Smith, Mortimore-Jones, Mortimore-Brown, and Mortimore-Hill, all of which are derived from the main Mortimore surname.
The Mortimore surname and its variants have endured over the centuries, from the medieval era to the present day. This success is owed mainly to the popularity of the original form of the Mortimore name - Mortemer - which was held in high regard for its meaning. It is also testament to the hard work and dedication of those who bore this name, and their descendants, to pass it on.
Famous people with the name Mortimore
- William Mortimore, British actor from the early 20th century.
- Paul Mortimore, British music producer and composer who worked with artists like Oasis, U2 and The Charlatans.
- John Mortimore, English football player with over 150 appearances for Reading FC.
- Iris Mortimore, British novelist and film writer, most famous for her novel ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’.
- Pat Mortimore, Australian cricketer who represented his country in 33 Test Matches.
- Mark Mortimore, British record producer and songwriter, known for his work on the albums ‘A Flock of Seagulls’ and ‘The Water Margin’.
- Edward Mortimore, English painter best known for his coastal landscapes and maritime scenes.
- Jordan Mortimore, English professional footballer currently playing for Aldershot Town FC.
- Dick Mortimore, English actor who featured on television shows such as ’The Avengers’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
- Elizabeth Mortimore, Australian-born art historian and author of multiple books about the work of other women artist.