Last Name Sor

The surname Sor has multiple possible origins depending on the region and country. 1. In Spain, Sor is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Soriano, which is a variant of the name Santiago. It means "son of Soriano" or "son of Santiago." 2. In Poland, Sor could be a shortened form of Sobierajski, a regional name derived from the word sióbierzec (to protect), referring to a person who protected or guarded something. 3. In Scandinavian countries, Sor is a topographic surname that originally referred to someone who lived near a river, lake, or marsh called Sor in Old Norse. 4. In some Jewish communities, Sor could be a nickname for a man with red hair (Sor in Hebrew means "red" or "rust-colored"). It's essential to note that these are general origins and the specific origin of any individual's name can vary based on their family history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Sor

The meaning and origin of the last name Sor

The surname Sor originates from various sources, depending on the geographical region. In some cases, it is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word "Sor" or "Soares," which means 'blacksmith' or 'ironworker.' This surname may have been occupational in origin, referring to a person who was a blacksmith. In other instances, Sor can also be traced back to Eastern European countries like Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where it might have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a source of water or a stream, derived from the Slavic word "sor" meaning 'source' or 'stream.' In Scandinavia, Sor is a habitational name from places called Sor in Norway and Sweden. The name has been Anglicized to various forms like Sore, Sorre, and Soar over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Sor

The surname Sor has its roots primarily in the Basque Country, a region spanning parts of Spain and France. It is one of the most common Basque surnames, often found among the Basque diaspora in other countries such as Argentina, Mexico, and the United States, where many Basques immigrated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to industrial expansion. The name can also be found in smaller numbers across Spain and France, particularly in regions with significant Basque populations like Navarra, Biscay, and Labort. In addition, there are scattered occurrences of the surname Sor in other parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. It is worth noting that the name may also be found among non-Basque communities due to various historical reasons such as adoption or assimilation.

Variants and spellings of the last name Sor

The surname Sor has several variations and spellings across different regions and cultures. Some common variations include Sore, Soare, Souar, Suor, and Zur. These differences may be due to phonetic changes over time, regional dialects, or spelling reforms in various languages. In some cases, these variations may also reflect the migration of people from one region to another, where their surname was adapted to the local linguistic and orthographic conventions. For example, in certain Scandinavian countries, the surname Sor might have been transcribed as Soer or Soerre when written in Latin characters. In other cases, variations may be a result of misinterpretations or errors during historical record-keeping.

Famous people with the last name Sor

The Sor family has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most distinguished is Isaac Sor (1822-1868), a Russian-Jewish painter who was known for his realistic and sentimental portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes. His works often depicted Jewish themes, reflecting his heritage and the cultural environment of 19th-century Russia.

Another significant figure is George Soros (born 1930), a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist. Known as the "Man Who Broke the Bank of England," Soros made billions by shorting the British pound in 1992, an event known as Black Wednesday. He has since donated millions to various causes through his Open Society Foundations, supporting human rights, education, and social justice around the world.

Lastly, Juan Sóriano (1894-1978) was a renowned Mexican painter who played a crucial role in the Mexican Mural Movement. His murals, characterized by their bold colors and graphic style, often depicted Mexico's social and political struggles during the first half of the 20th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Sor

The surname Sor originates from several sources across Europe. In Scandinavia, it is derived from the Old Norse personal name Sveinn, meaning "boy" or "young man." This name was often shortened to Sori, eventually evolving into Sor in some regions. In Basque country, Sor is a toponymic surname, originating from various places named Sor or Zur (meaning 'swamp' or 'marsh'). The Basque surname may have also been formed by the diminitive suffix -tzor added to a personal name. In Hungary, Sor stems from the occupation name Szőr, referring to a wool-carder. Over time, these distinct origins have led to the dispersal of the Sor family across various countries and cultures, with notable Sor families documented in Norway, Sweden, Spain, France, and Hungary, among others.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Sor"
• 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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