Surname Starr - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling My Starr Lineage: An Emotional Journey Through iGENEA DNA Testing
Engaging with iGENEA's DNA test opened new dimensions of connection to my past, transforming my perception of my surname, Starr. It was an emotional journey, uncovering long-lost relatives and centuries of history.
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read moreStarr: What does the surname Starr mean?
The last name Starr is of English origin and it carries a literal meaning. The name is derived from the Old English term "steorra," which translates to "star" in modern English. It was typically used as a nickname in medieval times for someone who was constantly gazing at the stars or someone who had a star-like quality or appearance. It may also have been used to refer to an individual who was an astrologer or someone who played the part of a star in a pageant. During the Middle Ages, it became a common practice to use nicknames as surnames which became hereditary. Hence, the name Starr is predominantly found in families of early English descent.
Order DNA origin analysisStarr: Where does the name Starr come from?
The last name Starr is quite common today, primarily found in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Other countries it appears include Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, South Africa and Israel.
In the United States, the last name Starr is most popular in the north midwest, especially in counties of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Michigan. It’s also found in Pennsylvania and the New York/New Jersey metro areas at a higher than average rate.
In Canada, Starr is most commonly found in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as the Yukon region. In the UK, it usually refers to people who are of Irish or Scottish ancestry, and is especially common in Scotland.
In Australia, Starr is more often than not a result of immigration from the UK or Ireland. It is also found in South Africa and New Zealand, primarily with the arrival of British military servicemen, and is common in some of the Asian countries, most notably in Israel.
Overall, the last name Starr has spread around the world; however, it is most heavily concentrated in regions where people of Irish or Scottish ancestry have settled.
Variations of the surname Starr
The surname Starr has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants and spellings include Starre, Star, Stare, Stor, Starr, Ster, and Sterre.
Surnames with similar origins include Starkey, Stargel, Starek, Stark, Starks, Starkweather, Storck, Sterkel, and Storke. All of these surnames share the same root of ‘starr’ or ‘ster,’ indicating the same individual or family line.
The surname is believed to originate from the Middle English word “stare,” which could mean either a warrior or an important individual. It may also have been derived from an old English word “steor,” which meant a beacon. Alternatively, the Middle German word “stere,” meaning “pillar,” may also be the source of the surname.
The surname was likely brought to England during the Norman Conquest and adopted by a small group of guild and merchants. As the families spread out, the spelling of Starr and its variants began to appear in various parts of the world. It is popular in England, Scotland, the United States, Ireland, and Australia.
Thus, it is evident that the surname Starr has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. All of these names trace their roots back to the Middle English word ‘stare,’ which could mean either a warrior or an important individual.
Famous people with the name Starr
- Ringo Starr: English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer of the Beatles.
- Roger Staar: American former NBA basketball player who is currently the president of the league's Players' Association.
- Maeve Binchy: Irish novelist and playwright who wrote numerous bestselling books, including Circle of Friends and Tara Road.
- Paul Starr: American sociologist, historian, and public policy analyst, well known for his works including The Social Transformation of American Medicine.
- George Starr: American entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, who co-founded the successful business, the KFC Corporation.
- Timothy Starr: Canadian country music artist and songwriter, who has had numerous hit singles since the late 1990s.
- Barbara Star: American figurative artist, best known for her portrait works that explore identity, myth and memory.
- Maurice Starr: American record producer, songwriter and singer, who created the popular 80s boy band New Edition.
- Brian D. Starr: American cinematographer, well known for his work on films such as The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
- Jean Starr Untermeyer: American poet and literary critic, best known for her admiration of modernist poets such as Wallace Stevens and Robert Frost.