Surname Orem - Meaning and Origin
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Orem: What does the surname Orem mean?
The surname Orem is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be derived from "Orme," an old Norse personal name which means "Serpent" or "Dragon." It was often used in medieval times as a first name and gradually evolved into a family name or surname. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name varied in different regions due to the lack of standardized spelling rules. Variations include Orme, Orm, and Orem, among others. Like many surnames, Orem was likely originally a nickname or a descriptive term which later developed into a hereditary surname.
This surname is found spread across the United Kingdom, especially concentrated in the northwestern region, such as in Lancashire. However, in modern times, people with the surname of Orem can be found in many parts of the world, including the United States, due to the spread of the English language and the migration of people for various reasons over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisOrem: Where does the name Orem come from?
The last name Orem is common throughout the United States. It is most frequently found in the western states including Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. The name is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “light” and historically was a frequent name in the Mormon faith. It is believed to have first been used in the area of Utah after the Mormon pioneers settled in the West.
Today, Orem is most prevalent as a surname in Utah. According to a recent Utah population survey, nearly 6,500 people with the last name Orem live in the state. This represents roughly 0.45% of the total population. It is the 18th most common last name in the state, and ranks as the 536th most common name in the United States.
In addition to Utah, other states with a significant presence of the last name Orem include Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and California. People with the last name Orem come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including American Indian, Mexican, Japanese, and Filipino.
Variations of the surname Orem
The surname Orem is derived from the ancient word Oraim, a Gaelic term meaning "descendant of Oirble". This name is common in countries of Irish, English, and Scottish descent. The variants, spellings and surnames of Orem include Orme, Orum, Ohr, Oren, Orin, Ore, Oremus, Oremos, Orones, Orona, Orems, Oreweary, Oremach, Oremi, Orrais, Oremem, Oromo, Oravi, Oraymo, Orefat, Orazen, and Orinach.
The origins of the Orem surname are multitudinous. Although the name is not derived from any particular clan or people group, it is typically associated with the Irish and English. In Scotland, the name is likely to be a Huguenot variant that came with the influx of Protestants to the region.
The surname Orem is also thought to have been introduced to America by Irish immigrants. In America, Orem is associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as several notable generational lines of Mormons trace their ancestry back to this surname.
In England, the Orem surname can be found mostly in Lancashire and the south, with evidence of the name as early as the 12th century. It is also a common surname in other parts of Europe such as Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Overall, the Orem surname is quite ancient and comes with a long history of roots across several cultures and countries. Its variants, spellings and surnames all point to a common origin in Irish and British descent.
Famous people with the name Orem
- Dave Orem: Wittenberg University Head Baseball Coach.
- Larry Orem: Professional Bodybuilder and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
- Alison Orem: Broadway actress known for roles such as Cathy in the The Last Five Years and Kelsi in High School Musical.
- Michael Orem: Former MLB outfielder who played for the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs.
- BJ Orem: Professional mixed martial arts fighter who has won titles in both middleweight and light heavyweight divisions
- Dave Orem: Jazz saxophonist who was a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene since the late 1950's.
- Miles Orem: Writer and director of short films, documentaries, and feature films.
- Robert Orem: Former General Officer of the United States Air Force and one-time president of the Air Force Academy.
- Paul Orem: Noted vocal instructor and presidential speech writer
- Kristin Orem: Member of the popular alternative rock band, The Dandy Warhols.