Famous Ormes

Discover the remarkable stories and achievements of notable individuals throughout history who share the surname Orme or its variants.

Orm, King of Denmark (around 800 AD)

Orm, King of Denmark, is a figure rooted more in legend than in documented historical fact. He appears in various Scandinavian sagas and folklore, but there is limited concrete evidence to substantiate his reign or even his existence as a historical monarch. The tales surrounding Orm often depict him as a warrior king, embodying the virtues of strength, courage, and leadership that were highly valued in Viking society.

Mythical Origins: Orm's story is intertwined with Norse mythology and the rich tradition of Scandinavian storytelling. His name, "Orm," translates to "serpent" in Old Norse, which may symbolize wisdom, power, or danger. This serpent motif is common in Norse legends and could imply a connection to mystical or supernatural elements.

Warrior King: In the legends, Orm is often portrayed as a formidable warrior, leading his people in battles against both foreign invaders and internal rivals. His reign is characterized by efforts to defend and expand his kingdom, reflecting the turbulent nature of Viking-era Scandinavia.

Cultural Significance: Orm's story has been passed down through generations, primarily through oral traditions and later written sagas. Although not a historical king like Harald Bluetooth or Sweyn Forkbeard, Orm represents the archetypal Viking leader, embodying the ideals and values of his time.

Lack of Historical Evidence: Unlike other figures from the Viking Age, there is no reliable historical record of Orm as a king of Denmark. His existence remains speculative, with most references to him coming from sources that blend history with mythology.

In summary, Orm, King of Denmark, is a legendary figure whose story contributes to the rich tapestry of Norse mythology and Viking folklore. Though not a confirmed historical figure, his tales continue to capture the imagination and reflect the values of his era.

[ The following was written by Stephen Orme in 1990s. "Little is known about him and he was probably king of a small part of Denmark rather than all of it. This may be the same Orm that Flemming Rickfors (see Ormsö) has traced through Latvia, Estonia, Northern England, and Scotland. He may also be the same Orm who was at a Viking military base in Ireland, and who met his death in North Wales (855 a.d. or thereabouts) at the hands of Rhodri Mawr who led the first Welsh army to unite under a single leader." ]

Orme of Abernethy (Scotland) 12th Century

Orme of Abernethy was a prominent Scottish nobleman during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He is most notably recognized as the progenitor of the Clan MacDuff, one of the most powerful and influential families in medieval Scotland.

Family Background: Orme was part of the old Scottish nobility, and his family held lands in Abernethy, a historic area in Perthshire. He was married to Ada, an illegitimate daughter of King William the Lion of Scotland, which linked him to the royal family.

Land and Titles: Orme held extensive lands in Abernethy, which were likely granted to him as part of his marriage alliance. The Abernethy lands were significant, both strategically and symbolically, as Abernethy was an ancient ecclesiastical center with ties to early Scottish kings.

Legacy and Clan MacDuff: Orme is credited with being the ancestor of the Clan MacDuff, a powerful family that became the Earls of Fife. The MacDuffs were hereditary bearers of the crown of Scotland during coronations and held the privilege of leading the right wing of the Scottish army in battle.

Historical Significance: The Clan MacDuff, descended from Orme, played a crucial role in Scottish history, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The family's influence and power were rooted in the early connections established by Orme of Abernethy.

Orme of Abernethy is a figure who represents the intricate web of alliances, landholding, and power that characterized medieval Scotland. His legacy lived on through the MacDuff lineage, which remained influential for centuries.

See also Ormiston Page and Orme in Scotland.

Orme of Darlaston / Orme le Guidon (England) 11th/12th centuries.

Orme's father, Richard the Forester, was the forester in charge of all of the new forest. During (or near to) 1086, Orme was married to Alice - the daughter of Hervens, a Norman nobleman - and was given four caracutes of land in Lancashire and neighbouring counties. One caracute is the amount of land that one pair of oxen can plough in one year, four caracutes would make him quite an important person. He is the Orme responsible for the building of the church at Ormskirk and others too. When he joined the Crusades against the Saracens he became the standard bearer (le Guidon), and legends tell that he returned home with Saracen stone-masons who were involved in building the Church of St. Chad in Stafford. Orm's home was at Darlaston, near Wolverhampton; his descendants became the 'De Darlaston' and 'Fitzorm' families and the name Orme was not passed on.

Captain Robert Orme (1725 - 1790) (UK)

Officer of Britain's Coldstream Guards. Aide-de-camp to General Braddock together with George Washington and Lt.Col Robert Stewart (Braddock's bodyguard unit). Wounded by the French (near Pittsburgh in America) in 1755, he returned to England, resigning his commission in 1756. In 1756 he married the Hon. Audrey Townshend, sister of George, 1st Marquess Townshend and Rt. Hon. Charles Townshend. Apparently there was some sort of runaway marriage and he and Audrey left to live in the Netherlands.

His portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds in 1756, it now hangs in a prominent position in the National Gallery in London.

Robert Orme (1728 - 1801) (UK)

East India Company Official and Historian, he was the author of several books that are still available at libraries. His work is esteemed because his writings and illustrations provide an excellent source of information for India's historians.

Brigadier General William W. Orme (1832 - 1866) (USA)

Born in Washington, D. C., William Ward Orme relocated to Illinois and practiced law in Bloomington. He was a member of the State constitutional convention in 1860, raised the 94th Illinois regiment at the beginning of the civil war, and was appointed as its Colonel. In 1862 he was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers, but failing health forced his retirement in 1864 and he then became Supervising Agent in the United States Treasury.

Eliza Orme (1816-1892) (UK)

Eliza Andrews, the eldest daughter of the Reverend Edward Andrews, was born in Romford in 1816. She married Charles Orme, the son of a wealthy brewer. The couple were friends with Thomas Carlyle, John Ruskin and Alfred Tennyson.

A supporter of women's rights Eliza Orme joined the National Society for Women's Suffrage in 1867. Later she was an active member of the London Society for Women's Suffrage. She also taught Hertha Ayrton mathematics.

Eliza Orme died in 1892.

Harry Orme (1826–1864) (UK)

Henry Orme was more usually known as Harry Orme, a bare knuckles boxer from Bow in London. There were very few rules and bouts took place in isolated places to avoid attention from the police. On 6th May 1851, the reigning British Middleweight Champion, Nat Langham, suffered the only defeat of his career at the hands of our Harry. The fight was for a prize of £50 and lasted for 117 rounds in two hours and forty-six minutes.

Harry also fought for the Heavyweight Championship of England in 1855, against the reigning champion Harry Broom. To avoid confusion, Harry Orme fought under his given name of Henry. The bout lasted for two hours and eighteen minutes, which is about 100 rounds, and unfortunately Henry lost.

See also the Wikipedia page.

Sheriff Lindley Hogue Orme (1848-1900) (USA)

Maricopa County Sheriff 1881-84 and 1895-98. He built the first Phoenix jail with incandescent lamps. During Sheriff Orme's term, repeated smallpox outbreaks required deputies to quarantine the town.

The Right Honorable the Baron Oram (1913-1999) (UK)

Albert Edward Oram, Baron Oram, was a British politician who played a significant role in mid-20th century politics. Baron Oram was particularly known for his contributions to cooperative movements and his work within the Labour Party.

The Right Honorable the Baron Orme p.c. (1923 - 2005) (UK)

A Member of Parliament for 33 years, Stanley Orme's career encompassed ministerial positions under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, culminating in a peerage and appointment to the Privy Council (the Privy Council advise the reigning monarch on matters of state). He was a man of integrity, who neither sought undue prominence for himself, nor wavered from his beliefs.

Yvonne Anne Ormes (1949 - 2023) (UK)

Yvonne Ormes was one of the most successful beauty queens of her generation. In 1968, she was crowned Miss Great Britain, then Miss England and Miss United Kingdom in 1970. In the same year she was then a runner up in Miss World.

She was played by actress Emily Tebbutt in the 2020 movie Misbehaviour.

Yvonne Ormes died in 2023 (Tributes paid after death of former Miss Great Britain from Nantwich).