This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'the Noreis,' the northern, the man from the North: sometimes meaning a Norwegian, but generally the 'north countree.' (a) Offic. 'the nurse.' Middle English nories. v. Nurse.

Thomas le Noreis, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Robert le Norys. Calendarium Inquisitionum Post Mortem.

Walter le Noreis, 1313. Writs of Parliament.

1570. Edward Norries, Lancashire: Register of the University of Oxford.

1766 Married — John Norriss and Mary McClary: St. George, Hanover Square.

The modern form of Norreys, which see.

This name as le Norreys (i.e. the northman) is very frequent in Irish records since the thirteenth century. It came into special prominence with the arrival of Sir John Norris, who was responsible for the terrible massacre at Rathlin Island in 1575. He became President of Munster in 1584and was succeeded by his brother Thomas in 1597. Another brother, Henry (d. 1599), is favourably mentioned by the Four Masters. The name is now found in considerable numbers in all the provinces except Connacht.

Some curious synonyms of it have been reported by local registrars, e.g. Nowry in Co. Derry, Nurse in Co. Kerry and Northbridge in west Cork. These three names are very rare in Ireland: Nurse and Nourse are normal synonyms of Norris in England; Northridge is an English name denoting residence at the north ridge.

(Anglo-French-Teut.) = Norreys, q.v. (Anglo-French-Latin) the Nurse [Middle English norice, noryce; Old French norrice (French nourrice); Latin nutrix, -icis, a nurse] Alicia le Noryce.—Cal. Inq. P.M.

I trowe that to a norice in this cas.— Chaucer, Cant. Tales, E 561.

This name has several derivations, the most usual being noreis, northerner. Of Elizabethan origin in Ireland it is now fairly numerous in all the provinces except Connacht. SIF 120

“Northerner” in Old French. See also Nourse.

“Nurse” in Old French (Norice).

(English) One who came from the north country, a northman; one who took care of another, a nurse.

Anciently written Le Noreis, Norres, Noreys, &c., and in Latin charters, Noricus, Norensis, &c. It is widely spread both in Normandy and England, and may imply either North-countryman or the Norwegian. Ormerod's Miscell. Palatina, p. 6. Gaimar applies the term to the Norwegians whom Harold defeated at Stamford Bridge.

Norroy, or north—king; a title given, in England, to the third king—at—arms. Norrie, French, a foster—child.

Formerly Norres. This family followed the Stanleys from Lancashire to the Isle of Man, where they held important official positions.

Andomar and William Norensis, Normandy 1180 - 95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Petru3 Norreis N. 1198. Thomas Norensis, Engl. c. 1198 (Rotuli Curiae Regis); Osbert, Roger (Ib.), also William, Richard, Henry, Ralph, Roger N. (Ibid.). See North.

From the French, Noris; a personal name Norice in Roll of Battell Abbey.

Norris is a name that has now its principal homes in Lancashire and Somerset. In the 13th century it was frequent in the forms of Noreys, Norreys, Norries, and Norrays, often preceded by "Le," in Notts, Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Hunts, Backs, etc. (H. R.).