The Lowland branch of the "Orr" family takes their name from the Old Norse personal name, "Orre", meaning `blackcock'. It is first recorded in the Ragman Roll of 1296 in the person of Hew Orr. The Scottish surname "Orr" is common in Renfrewshire, Glasgow and Kintyre. In the 16th century, it is frequently found in the Scottish southwest.
The Highland branch of the "Orr" family takes their name from the Gaelic word "odhar", meaning dun or drab. The name is found in, among other areas, Atholl and Moy.
"Orr" is also a surname found in Ireland.
