Surname Unrue - Meaning and Origin
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Unrue: What does the surname Unrue mean?
The last name Unrue is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a 'run', or small stream, or a nickname for someone who worked in a run or creek. The earliest recorded reference to the name dates back to 1221 when William de Unrue was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire.
The surname Unrue evokes a sense of a rural and pastoral past. It is believed to be most common in the North West of England, especially in Lancashire, which was home to many of the early bearers of the name. It can also be found in Scotland, with records of the name dating as far back as 1650.
The surname has since spread to North America in the late 19th century as people sought economic opportunities in America. There are still pockets of the Unrue family scattered across the US, especially in Texas.
The Unrue family is known for impressive longevity and good health, with records showing that some members of the family lived up to the age of 100 being relatively commonplace.
The Unrues have a great sense of community and togetherness. Various family gatherings are held throughout the year, especially at Christmas, where members of the Unrue family can come together to share in their traditions and celebrate their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisUnrue: Where does the name Unrue come from?
The last name Unrue is most commonly found in the United States. It exists primarily in the southeastern region, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Within these states, the name is more specifically related to the rural areas, particularly in the Bible Belt region.
Unrues have been living in this region for over a century, with most of the first Unrues to arrive in Texas doing so in the late 1800s. The name is potentially of German origin, though this is debated.
The current population of Unrues is small but not insignificant. Statistics from the 2020 US Census show that there are around 1000 Unrues currently living in America, with a vast majority of them residing in the five states from above.
Despite the Unrue name being more prevalent in rural areas, the family is well-distributed throughout the US. Over the years, Unrues have established tight-knit ties within their local communities, meaning that the last name Unrue is something of a local icon in the southeast.
Variations of the surname Unrue
The surname Unrue is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name Onroi which is a pet form of Honore. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Onroi, Honore, Honor, Honer, Honnor, Honner, Oiner, Uhnri, Uhnree, Unari, Unray, Unrai, and Unre.
Unrue is the French spelling of the surname and is closely related to the surname Honore which is the French version of the Latin Honorius. This name is composed of two elements: honos, meaning "honor, respect," and ri, meaning "king". The surname Unrue may be related to one of several French place names which began with the element Onroi, such as Onroi-les-Plans and Onroi-en-Brettangne, both located in western France.
In the United States, the surname Unrue may be encountered in the form of Unera, Unar, Unre, Ehnri, Uhnri, Uhnree, Unarri, Unray, Unrai, and Unroe. It can also be found spelled as Oiner. In Canada, the surname is often spelled Unruh.
The surname is also occasionally encountered in the form of honorific usages such as Monsieur Unrue and Madamoiselle Unrue, and as a given name as in Unrue Antoine.
Famous people with the name Unrue
- Jack Unrue: American musician and music producer best known for being a founding member of the punk/ska band Los Pepes.
- Abner Unrue: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Paul Unrue: American voice actor known for his work on many shows such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon Fusion, and Naruto.
- Chad Unrue: American television and film actor best known for roles as Justin on Nickelodeon’s All That, as well as roles in American Pie, Yes Man, and Get Smart.
- Dwayne Unrue: American world champion powerlifter, set world records in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
- Rickey Unrue: former Minor League Baseball player.
- Aaron Unrue: American production designer and art director.
- Matt Unrue: American country singer-songwriter best known for his singles “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Never Be Wrong Again.”
- Brian Unrue: American actor known for roles such as Deputy Martin on Grimm, Joe in Hide and Creep, and John in The Twilight Zone (2019).
- David Unrue: Former Major League Baseball player, played for the San Francisco Giants from 1991-1998.