NomOrigine Background

Last Name Oury

What is the origin of the last name Oury?

The surname Oury is of French origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Oury, which is a short form of Aurélien, a popular male given name in France. The name Aurélien comes from the Latin name Aurelianus, meaning "golden" or "sunny." The spelling variations of this surname include Ouri, Oury, and others, reflecting regional differences and changes over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Oury

The meaning and origin of the last name Oury

The surname Oury is of French origin, derived from the Old Occitan word "orri," which means "gold" in English. It is an occupational name for someone who was involved in the trade related to gold or metalworking, although it could also be a topographic name for someone living near such a site. The use of metalsmithing and metalworking as professions goes back to ancient times, making this surname potentially quite old. In France, the Oury family is most commonly found in the regions of Auvergne, Rhône-Alpes, and Occitanie. Variations in spelling include Oury, Oorie, and Ury, reflecting the diverse phonetic interpretations that occurred during the Middle Ages when written records began to be kept more systematically.

Geographical distribution of the last name Oury

The surname Oury is predominantly found in French-speaking regions, primarily in West Africa and France. In West Africa, it is most prevalent in countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Togo, where it is a common last name among the Fon and Mossi ethnic groups. In France, Oury is less frequent but can be found in various regions, particularly in Brittany, where the Breton language and culture may have contributed to its usage. The presence of the surname Oury is also reported in other French-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Canada, and former French colonies like Haiti and the French Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, etc.). It is important to note that the distribution of a surname often reflects historical events, such as migration patterns, colonization, and cultural assimilation.

Variants and spellings of the last name Oury

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Famous people with the last name Oury

Notable individuals with the surname Oury include:

* Jean-Louis Oury (born 1942), a French conductor and musicologist who has been the musical director of the Orchestre National de France since 1989. He is known for his interpretations of the symphonies of Mahler, Bruckner, and Beethoven.
* Émile Oury (1863-1925), a French archaeologist who made significant contributions to the study of prehistoric cave art in France. He was instrumental in the discovery of the Lascaux Cave in 1940.
* Jean-François Oury (born 1974), a French musician, composer, and producer who is best known for his work with the electronic music group Air. His collaborations with the duo have resulted in several successful albums, including "Moon Safari" and "The Virgin Suicides."
* Pierre Oury (1852-1906), a French composer and conductor who was one of the founders of the Opéra-Comique in Paris. He is remembered for his operas "Le Roi d'Yvetot" and "La Mascotte," as well as for his work as a conductor at the Théâtre Lyrique.
* Louis Oury (1908-1972), a French painter who was a leading figure in the École de Paris, a group of artists who were active in Paris in the mid-20th century. His work is characterized by its bold colors and expressionistic style, and he exhibited at the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Indépendants.

Genealogical research on the last name Oury

The surname Oury is primarily of French origin, stemming from various regions including Normandy and Brittany. The name is an occupational one, derived from the Old French 'our' meaning 'gold', indicating that an ancestor was likely a goldsmith or jeweler. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Oury in France dates back to the 12th century, with the presence of a man named Willelmus Aurarius in Normandy during this period. Over time, various spellings of the name have emerged due to differences in regional dialects and recording methods, including Aurier, Ourier, and Oori. Notable figures bearing the surname include Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, a French writer and naturalist, born as Jacques-Henri Oury in 1737. The name has since been carried to other parts of Europe and the world by French settlers and immigrants.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 15 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Ourabi (Last name)

surnames > ourabi

The surname "Ourabi" originates from the Arabic-speaking countries, particularly Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. It is derived from the Arabic word "ar-rabi," which means "the fourth" ...

Ourahou (Last name)

surnames > ourahou

The last name Ourahou does not have a well-documented origin. It appears to be a relatively uncommon surname and may have specific regional or cultural significance that is not wid...

Ouraiss (Last name)

surnames > ouraiss

The last name "Ouraiss" appears to have Arabic origins. It may be derived from the Arabic word "ourais" or "aurais" which means "overcome" or "prevail." This name could have been u...

Ourakzay (Last name)

surnames > ourakzay

The last name "Ourakzay" is of Pashto origin, originating from Afghanistan. It is likely derived from a place name or tribal affiliation.

Ouramdane (Last name)

surnames > ouramdane

The surname "Ouramdane" is of Algerian origin. It is a Berber surname commonly found in Algeria. Berbers are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, including Algeria, Morocco,...

Ourfali (Last name)

surnames > ourfali

The surname "Ourfali" is likely of Arabic origin. It may derive from the Arabic word "ourfaly," which means "belonging to Ourfa," a city in Turkey. It is possible that the surname ...

Ourgo tile (Last name)

surnames > ourgo-tile

The surname "Ourgo Tile" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with a specific and possibly r...

Ouriagli (Last name)

surnames > ouriagli

The last name "Ouriagli" does not appear to have a widely known or documented origin. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with limited information available. Last na...

Ourives (Last name)

surnames > ourives

The surname Ouvrines (also spelled as Ouvrines, Ouvrières, etc.) has its origins in France. It is a toponymic surname, derived from a place where the original bearer lived or held...

Ourmi (Last name)

surnames > ourmi

The origin of the last name "Ourmi" is Persian/Iranian. It is derived from the city of Urmia in Iran.

Ouro akpo (Last name)

surnames > ouro-akpo

The last name "Ouro Akpo" is of African origin. "Ouro" is a common last name in Nigeria and "Akpo" is also a Nigerian last name.

Ouro gnaou (Last name)

surnames > ouro-gnaou

The last name Ouro Gnaou appears to have its origin in Morocco. "Ouro" and "Gnaou" are both common names in Moroccan culture. The surname may have been derived from a combination o...

Ouro koura (Last name)

surnames > ouro-koura

The last name "Ourokoura" does not have a widely known origin or meaning. It is possible that it may be a rare or unique surname that is specific to a particular family or region. ...

Ourouj (Last name)

surnames > ourouj

The last name Ourouj appears to have origins in Arabic languages. It may be derived from the Arabic word "auruj," which means "time of day" or "moment."

Ourzik (Last name)

surnames > ourzik

The last name Ourzik is of Berber origin, commonly found in Morocco. It is likely derived from the Berber word "Urzik," which means "lion" in English.