Last Name Orick

The surname Orick is of English origin and is derived from various places named Orchard, which are found in several parts of England. These places were originally named for their orchards or fruit trees. In Old English, "orc" means orchard, and "hypp" or "hyra" meant enclosure. Therefore, the surname Orick likely comes from a person who lived near an orchard or had an occupation related to orchards. Over time, the spelling of the name has been altered due to various factors such as scribal errors and migration patterns.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Orick

The meaning and origin of the last name Orick

The surname Orick is of English origin, derived from various places named Orick or Oreick in Cumbria, England. The name of these locations is believed to be derived from the Old Norse "Aurikr," meaning "golden corner." This suggests that the original settlers may have been Scandinavian Vikings who settled in these areas due to their strategic location and resources. Over time, the surname Orick spread throughout England and eventually migrated with English settlers to other parts of the world, particularly North America. Today, the name Orick is relatively rare but can be found in various countries, reflecting its historical migration patterns.

Geographical distribution of the last name Orick

The last name Orick, while less common compared to many other surnames, exhibits a noticeable concentration in specific regions. Primarily, it is most frequent in the United States, particularly in the states of California and New York. In California, Orick is associated with Humboldt County, where there exists a town named Orick, suggesting potential origins or historical settling patterns. In New York, the surname shows up frequently in the greater New York City area, indicating possible immigration from Europe, possibly Germany, as some variations of the name are derived from Germanic roots. Elsewhere, occurrences of Orick can be found across North America and Europe, although at lower frequencies compared to its presence in California and New York.

Variants and spellings of the last name Orick

The surname Orick has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation over time. Some common variants include: Orrick, Oricks, Orich, Oricke, and Oyrick. These variations may stem from slight mispronunciations or misspellings during historical migrations and census records. Additionally, it's worth noting that the name can also be found as O'Riordan, which is an Irish Gaelic form of the same root, but with a different etymology. This variant is pronounced 'O-Ree-ardan'. All these variations share a similar phonetic structure and are considered to be related forms of the original name.

Famous people with the last name Orick

Notable individuals with the surname Orick include:

1. James Orick (born 1947), an American chemist known for his contributions to the field of polymer science, particularly in the area of polymer blends. He was awarded the ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science in 2003.

2. Mary Orick (1858-1950), a pioneering American botanist who made significant contributions to the study of plant evolution, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She was a founder and president of the Botanical Society of America.

3. Peter Orick (born 1964), an American alpine skier who competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics and won the bronze medal in downhill at the 1993 World Championships. He is also a ski coach and commentator for NBC Sports.

4. Robert S. Orick (born 1942), an American mathematician known for his work on nonlinear analysis, differential equations, and mathematical biology. He has received numerous awards for his research, including the Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the American Mathematical Society.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, spanning areas such as science, botany, sports, and mathematics.

Genealogical research on the last name Orick

The Orick surname is of English origin and is believed to have derived from various locations named Orick or Oreick in Cumberland and Westmorland counties in England. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is John de Oryke, who lived during the reign of King Edward I in the 13th century. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to various forms such as Orick, Orik, and Oreyke. The Orick family was prominent in the northern regions of England and later immigrated to America. Some notable bearers of the name include John Orick, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1750, and William Orick, a pioneer settler in Ohio in the early 19th century. In the United States, the name is most common in states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Orick"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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