| ![Show Contents]() Dors History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of DorsWhat does the name Dors mean? Dors is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Dors family lived in Herefordshire. The family settled in Dore in that county, and it is from this location that their surname derives. Early Origins of the Dors familyThe surname Dors was first found in Herefordshire at Dore Abbey, a former Cistercian abbey in the village of Abbey Dore in the Golden Valley. The abbey was founded in 1147 by Robert fitzHarold of Ewyas, the Lord of Ewyas Harold, and derives it name from the River Dore, a Celtic river-name meaning "the waters." 1 "This parish derives its name from its situation on the river Dore, and from an abbey of White or Cistercian monks, founded here in the reign of Stephen, by Robert, son of Harold, Lord of Ewyas, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Edmund." 2 Dore is also a village in South Yorkshire which is listed in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle c. 829 when King Egbert of Wessex led his army to the village to receive the submission of King Eanred of Northumbria. Some claim that Egbert became the first king of England at Dore. Today the "Dore Stone," located on the village green commemorates King Egbert's victory. Early History of the Dors familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dors research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dors History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dors Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Dors include Dore, Dorey, Dory, Dorie, Doar, Doare, Doore, Doorey, Doorie and many more. Early Notables of the Dors familyMore information is included under the topic Early Dors Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dors family to IrelandSome of the Dors family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Dors migration to Canada | + |
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Dorss to arrive on North American shores: Dors Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Jesse Dors, who arrived in Canada in 1828
| Contemporary Notables of the name Dors (post 1700) | + |
- Diana Dors (1931-1984), born Diana Mary Fluck, an English actress, known as a ‘blonde bombshell’ of the Monroe style who claimed to have left a large fortune to her son in her will, via a secret code entrusted to her third husband who committed suicide-the code and fortune were never found
- Lucien Dors (b. 1984), Dutch footballer
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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