Surname Storey - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Celtic Roots and Ancestral Journey of the Storey Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

Exploring my ancestral lineage with the iGENEA DNA test has unveiled fascinating insights into the origin and history of my surname, Storey. The test, comprising Y-DNA and mtDNA components, suggests a Celtic origin for the surname, tracing back to ancient Ireland and Scotland. Specific genetic markers shed light on the deep ancestral journey and cultural history of the Storeys, offering a compelling blend of personal, biological, and historical understanding.

U. Storey

Storey: What does the surname Storey mean?

The surname Storey originated in England and Ireland. The name is derived from the Old Norse term "staurr," meaning pole or stake, which was utilized metaphorically to refer to a steadfast, reliable person. Over time, it came to represent someone who lived in or worked in a building, particularly a religious building such as a monastery. This evolved from the Middle English word "story," used for various types of buildings. Some suggest it may also refer to a person who worked as a historian or a storyteller. The name Storey thus carries connotations of stability, reliability, and possibly skilled craftsmanship or scholarship. Like many surnames, the exact interpretation can vary and may have evolved according to regional usage and family tradition.

Storey: Where does the name Storey come from?

The last name Storey is most commonly found in North America today, particularly in the United States and Canada. It is particularly common in coastal areas, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the US, such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It has also been observed in large northern cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The Storeys may have spread across North America from the British Isles, although the origin of the name is uncertain. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word “stōr”, which means story or story-teller. Alternatively, it could also be Scottish in origin, with an association to a topographic feature, such as the storeyed cliff - a terraced rock face.

Other territories where the Storey name is found today are the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. There are fewer instances in continental Europe, although it is sometimes found in records from the Netherlands, Germany, and France.

In the US, the most populous suburb of Storey is in Somerset County, Maryland. Here, more than 1650 people share the name and the town is frequently listed in national rankings of towns with the highest number of Storeys. Other small US settlements with a high proportion of Storeys include Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Variations of the surname Storey

The surname Storey has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Store, Storee, Storey, Story, Storry, Storie, Storeye, Storye, Storie, Stori, Storeigh, Storrey, Storie, Storeygh, Storeigh, Storeighs, Storeyegh, Storeyghe, Storygh, Storeigh, Storew, Stori, and Storygh. Storey is derived from the Old French word “estore,” which is a cousin of the Norman word “stori.” It refers to a battle loft in a castle or a watchtower.

Storey is a common English and Scottish surname. It is used to describe a person who lived in or operated a large house, cottage, chapel, or some other structure. In the English language, Storey can be spelled in many other ways, such as Storee, Storry, Story, Storeye, Storye, and Storew. Over time, the spelling of the surname Storey has also changed, and variations such as Storie, Stori, Storeigh, and Storew have become more prominent.

Storey is also a common Irish surname that originally derived from the Scottish and English forms. Variations include Storeigh, Storeighs, Storeyegh, Storeyghe, Storygh, Storeigh, Storeygh and Storygh. People with the surname Storey are believed to have originated in northern Ireland, although the surname is more commonly found in Scotland.

In America, the surname Storey is most commonly found in Pennsylvania. Variations such as Storey, Storry, Storee, and Storeye are quite common here as well.

In Canada, the surname Storey is mostly found in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Here, variants such as Storeye, Storeyegh, Storye, and Stori are quite common. Variations of the surname Storey can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Storey

• Vance Storey: Achieved fame as a professional basketball coach and player.
• Charles T. Storey: Legacy in American oil production, philanthropy, and mining industries.
• Marjorie Storey: Prominent landscape artist in Australia.
• Robert Storey: Established an early ironworks in Virginia as an industrial pioneer.
• Jack Storey: Recognised Australian business leader, and former Chairman of Lendlease.
• Emily Storey: Influential vintage fashion designer in Britain.
• Clem Storey: Major political figure in Northern Ireland.
• Brooke Storey: Acclaimed US television personality.
• Juliet Storey: Noted award-winning children's book author.
• Kate Storey: Established figure in the fashion industry and founder of the popular lifestyle blog Cupcakes and Cashmere.

Other surnames

StoreStorerStörer