Surname Narr - Meaning and Origin
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Narr: What does the surname Narr mean?
The last name Narr is an Old German name with origins in what is now modern-day Germany. It is thought to have come from a dialect form of the German name "Nar", meaning "foolish" or "foolhardy". The root of the name may have originally been based on the Latin name "Narus" which is derived from the word "naris" meaning "fool".
The name Narr is most commonly found in areas with a strong German heritage such as the United States, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It was adopted by numerous European immigrants and their descendants as a way to remember their ancestral heritage and identify themselves as part of the larger German community.
The name Narr carries with it a sense of pride and history. It can refer to someone who is strong-willed, steadfast in their beliefs and independent-minded. The name Narr is one of strength and resilience, a reminder of the determination and courage of the German people.
The Narr name is also strongly associated with the arts. Numerous German authors, musicians, and painters have the last name Narr, reflecting the importance of the arts in the German culture.
The name Narr is one that is frequently chosen by people from many backgrounds as a way to recognize and remember the spirit and proud heritage of the German people. It is an important symbol of family, culture, and tradition, and it reflects the strength and determination of all who have that name.
Order DNA origin analysisNarr: Where does the name Narr come from?
The last name Narr is common today throughout most of Europe, though particularly in Germany, and parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is believed to derive from an old Germanic word meaning “eagle” or “emperor”, suggesting that it possibly originated as either a heraldic term or an aristocratic family name with imperial significance.
The name is found in many countries today, and is particularly popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also found in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldavia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Russian Federation.
In the United States, the flourishing of the Narr surname really began after the 18th century, when German immigrants spread throughout the country. Without a doubt, the most famous bearer of this name was Richard Narr, who served as the first mayor of Cincinnati from 1819-1820.
In Canada, the Australasia, and South Africa it has also been recorded, and today there is a sizable presence of Narre families in Mexico. The name is derived by removing the ‘e’ from the word ‘narre’ – a form of address in the Middle Ages-and the change is reflected in the many variant spellings in English-speaking countries. These spellings include Narres, Naar, Naars, Nar, Nare, Narre, Narrs, and Naree.
Variations of the surname Narr
The common surname Narr is derived from a Germanic personal name Narir which came from the root element nar, meaning daring or reckless. This surname is often seen in the spelling variations of Nehr, Nerr, Nair, and Naar, though there can be other minor variations due to dialect. The earliest Germanic records of the surname dates back to 1271 when one Bertram Naris was registered in the city of Brehna in modern-day Saxony-Anhalt. From there, the variations spread to other regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Prussia, and Saxony.
Surnames of similar origins and spellings include När, Nöhr, Nörr, Nöhre, Nöer, Nöhrl, Nöbel, and Neyer, among other variations. In France and the Low Countries, the surname was often recorded as Norr or Noir and in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it was sometimes found as Naar, Narrer, Norer, or Nauer. In Austro-Hungarian regions such as Bohemia, Vienna, and the Czech Republic, the surname was often recorded as Nář.
Variants of the surname Narr can also be found in other languages, such as in Dutch, as Narre, and Celtic languages like Welsh, where it is found as Neyr. Along with these variants, some derivatives of the name take the form of a patronymic rather than a surname. For example, Narrsen in Danish and Norwegian, or Knarr, a German form sometimes found in Switzerland.
In summary, the most common surnames derived from the Germanic name Narir are Narr, Nehr, Nerr, Nair, and Naar, though there are various other variations and spellings around Europe that have been adapted to linguistic changes over time. Additionally, there are various derived or patronymic surnames, such as Narrsen and Knarr.
Famous people with the name Narr
- Andy Narr: an American professional soccer player currently playing with Phoenix Rising FC in the United Soccer League.
- Kenneth Narr: an American artist, filmmaker, and photographer specializing in contemporary landscape photography.
- Don Narr: a retired American football player who played in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts.
- Duncan Narr: a Canadian professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour, and the NGA Hooters Tour.
- Laura Narr: an American equestrian who competes in show jumping events.
- Wilmer Narr: an American composer, musician, and music producer who has scored feature films, television shows, and commercials.
- Lisa Narr: an American figure skater who competed in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Barbara Narr: a former American basketball player who competed in the WNBA for the Houston Comets and Phoenix Mercury.
- Margie Narr: an American nurse and actor who played Nurse Betty on the television series Miracle Beach.
- Loren Narr: an American actor who has starred in numerous stage and screen productions.