Last Name Nunn

The surname "Nunn" is of Old English origin. It originally referred to a monk or priest, derived from the Old English word "nunna," which means "a nun." The usage of surnames in England spread during the Middle Ages, as a way for authorities to identify people more easily. The adoption of this surname could have been based on an occupational context (as someone who worked at or near a convent) or because a person's family had ties to religious institutions. Over time, variations such as Nunne, Nunnis, and Nunney have emerged in different regions.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Nunn

The surname Nunn is of Old English origin, derived from the word "hnag" or "hneag," which means "young bird" or "young hen." It was originally a byname for someone who resembled a young bird in some way or perhaps someone who was born during the bird-breeding season. Over time, it evolved into the modern English surname Nunn. The name is most prevalent in England and parts of Northern Ireland. Famous individuals bearing this surname include American politician John Nunn, British chess grandmaster Nigel Nunn, and American football player Dwayne Nunnally.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nunn

The surname Nunn is primarily found across several regions worldwide, with significant concentrations in England and Scotland due to its Anglo-Saxon origins. In England, it is most prevalent in counties like Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Kent. In Scotland, it is particularly common in Aberdeenshire and Fife. The name has also been carried by Scottish settlers to other parts of the world, with a notable presence in Canada (particularly Ontario and Nova Scotia) and the United States (especially New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts). Other countries where Nunn is found include Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland. In these dispersed locations, the name's distribution is often associated with historical migrations and colonization patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nunn

The surname Nunn has several spelling variants, including Nunne, Nunnne, Nuun, Noon, Neun, Neune, Nwun, and Nwune. These variations may have arisen due to regional dialects, transcription errors in records, or even the personal preference of the individual. The name originated as a nickname for someone resembling a nun, derived from the Old English word "nunn," meaning "nun." It is also possible that it comes from an occupational name for a messenger or herald, derived from the Middle English term "nonne," which meant "message" or "news." The name is most common in England and Wales, with high concentrations of bearers found in counties such as Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset.

Famous people with the last name Nunn

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Nunn include: 1. Richard C. Nunn, an American geologist and academic who served as the Provost at Princeton University from 2001 to 2007. 2. Jodie Lyn Nunn, an Australian television producer and writer best known for creating and producing the television series 'Wentworth'. 3. David Nunn, a British football commentator and journalist who has worked for ITV, Sky Sports, and CBS Sports. He has covered numerous international tournaments, including multiple FIFA World Cups. 4. John Nunn, a British chess grandmaster and International Master of Mathematics. He is a four-time British Chess Champion and was the world number two in 1987 and 1988. 5. Tony Nunn, an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal. He also represented England at international level. These individuals demonstrate diverse careers in various fields such as academia, television, journalism, sports, and chess, demonstrating the versatility of the Nunn family name across different professions.

Genealogical research on the last name Nunn

The surname Nunn originated from Old English and Anglo-Saxon roots, specifically "hnappan," meaning "eagle," and "nann," meaning "boy" or "servant." This indicates that the original bearer of this name was associated with an eagle in some capacity. Early records show that Nunn was a relatively common name in Anglo-Saxon England, particularly in regions such as Wessex and Mercia. The Norman Conquest brought further changes to the distribution of the name, with settlers from France introducing variant spellings such as "Noune" or "Nunne." Throughout the Middle Ages, the Nunn family was present across England, with notable mentions in the Domesday Book and other historical documents. The name spread to Wales and Ireland through subsequent migrations, and to Scotland due to marriages between Scottish and English nobility during the 12th century. In more recent times, significant bearers of the surname include William Nunn, a prominent English merchant active in the late 1500s; John Nunne, an English colonist who settled in Massachusetts in the early 1630s; and Richard Nunn, a British military officer during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, individuals with the surname Nunn can be found worldwide, reflecting its long and varied history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Nunn"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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