Orr is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Odhar meaning "dark, pale". In Scotland, Orr may be a sept of Clan Campbell. Etymology The primary origin is from the Gaelic odhar, meaning "dark", "dun". Padraig Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, suggested that the Irish surname originates from an Anglicisation of Gaelic Mac Iomhaire. Mac Giolla Domhnaigh stated that this was an old name from Renfrewshire, and a sept of the Campbells; he stated that the name was earlier spelt Mac Ure. In Ireland the name is common particularly in Ulster, and mainly found in County Antrim, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. The first recorded evidence of the name in Ulster is of those who came from Scotland with Sir Hugh Montgomery in 1606 to settle in North Down on lands ceded by the O'Neill family. They were chiefly Presbyterian, with some Episcopalians, and a few Roman Catholics and Quakers. According to Bell, the earliest record of the name in Ireland is that of a family in County Tyrone in 1655. However, according to Orr, the earliest record of the name in Ireland is of Richard Orr of Clontarf in 1563. In Scotland, the name is first known to have been recorded in Renfrewshire. Historian Edward MacLysaght suggests that the name in Scotland derives from the parish of Urr in Kirkcudbrightshire. Indeed, the River Urr flowed through the area. A tradition of some of the Orrs in Northern Ireland has it that they were descended from outlawed brothers whose original family name was McLean; they crossed this river and then made their way by boat to Donaghadee in County Down in the early 17th century. Having escaped persecution, they took river's name as their surname and settled in Newtownards. People Alan Stewart Orr (1911–1991), Scottish-born Lord Justice of Appeal Alexander D. Orr (1761–1835), American farmer and politician Alexander Ector Orr (1831–1914), pioneer of the New York City subway system Alice Orr-Ewing (born 1989), British actress Alice Greenough Orr (1902–1995), American rodeo star Andy Orr (born 1980), member of the Irish band Six Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing, 1st Baronet (1847–1893), Scottish politician Benjamin Orr (1947–2000), bass guitarist and singer-songwriter of The Cars Benjamin Orr (Massachusetts politician) (1772–1828), American politician Bobby Orr (born 1948), Canadian Hall-of-Fame ice hockey player Bradley Orr (born 1982), English footballer Buxton Orr (1924–1997), British composer C. Rob Orr (born 1950), American swimmer