Famous Ormes
The Orme name has deep roots in Britain, appearing in records from the Viking age onward. Over the centuries, many individuals bearing the name have made notable contributions to history, literature, the arts, politics, and sport.
This page highlights some of the most significant Ormes whose achievements continue to be documented and remembered.
Arts & Culture
Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer (1929 - 2021), Actor
'Christopher Plummer' was born on 13 December 1929 in Toronto, Canada, and died on 5 February 2021 in Weston, Connecticut. He was the only child of John Orme Plummer and Isabella Mary Abbott. Over a distinguished career spanning more than seven decades, Plummer became one of Canada’s most celebrated actors, known for his versatility on stage and screen.
He achieved worldwide fame as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1965) and continued to earn acclaim in later years with roles in films such as The Insider, Beginners—for which he won an Academy Award—and Knives Out. His work left a lasting legacy in both classical theatre and modern cinema. Also see Wikipedia.
Yvonne Anne Ormes (1949 - 2023)
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. She died in 2023 (Tributes paid after death of former Miss Great Britain from Nantwich).
Edward Orme (1775 - 1848), Publisher, Engraver & Printseller
Edward Orme was a royal engraver to King George III and the Prince Regent. He published significant military, naval, and colonial artwork, including iconic visual records of the Napoleonic era.
He was also a property developer in Bayswater, where Orme Square was named after him. Also see Wikipedia.
Politics, Law & Public Life
Stanley Orme, Baron Orme (1923–2005)
Stanley “Stan” Orme was a long-serving British Labour Party politician who represented Salford in Parliament from 1964 to 1997. He held several senior government posts, including Minister of State for Northern Ireland and Minister for Social Security in the 1970s, and later served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Born in Cheshire, he worked as an engineer and served in the RAF during the Second World War before entering politics. After retiring from the House of Commons, he was made a life peer as Baron Orme of Salford. He is remembered as a principled, respected figure of Labour’s mainstream left. Also see Wikipedia.
Albert Edward Oram, Baron Oram (1913–1999)
Albert Edward “Bert” Oram was a British politician, teacher, and lifelong advocate for the co-operative movement. Born on 13 August 1913, he was educated at Brighton Grammar School and at the London School of Economics. Initially a teacher, after wartime service in the Royal Artillery, he became Research Officer for the Co-operative Party and later served as Member of Parliament (Labour and Co-operative) for East Ham South from 1955 until 1974.
In government, he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development from 1964–1969, focusing on international development and education. In recognition of his public service, he was created a life peer as Baron Oram of Brighton on 22 January 1976, sitting in the House of Lords until his death on 5 September 1999. His career was marked by a commitment to co-operative ideals, overseas development and progressive social policy.
Eliza Orme (1848–1937)
Eliza Orme was the first woman in England to earn a law degree (LLB, University College London, 1888) in a period when the legal profession refused admission to women. She opened chambers on Chancery Lane and for many years worked as a conveyancer — preparing wills, mortgages and property transfers — thus providing legal services long before women could be admitted as solicitors or barristers.
A dedicated advocate for women’s rights, she was active in the Women’s Liberal Federation, edited the Women’s Gazette and Weekly News, and later took part in public commissions on labour and prison conditions. Through her example she helped open the path for future generations of women in law. Also see Wikipedia.
Lindley Hogue Orme (1848–1900), USA
Lindley Hogue Orme was an early settler of Phoenix, Arizona, who served as sheriff of Maricopa County for multiple terms (1880–1884 and again in the 1890s). He oversaw the construction of Phoenix’s first electrically lit jail, enforced quarantine measures during a smallpox outbreak, and co-founded the Agua Fria Water and Land Company, contributing to regional development.
Born in December 1848 in Maryland, Orme served as a private for the Confederate States during the American Civil War before moving west to settle in Phoenix. He married twice and had one son, passing away on 24 September 1900. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Phoenix.
William Orme (c.1620 - 1673), Member of Parliament (English Civil War Era)
Served during the turbulent mid-17th century and played a role in local governance and parliamentary reform movements associated with the Commonwealth period.
Orme of Darlaston / Orme le Guidon (c. late 11th–early 12th century), England
Orme of Darlaston — also known as Orme le Guidon — was a medieval landowner and standard-bearer in Staffordshire. The son of Richard the Forester, he inherited lands in Darlaston (Derlavestona) and other manors including Bucknall, Biddulph, Fenton, and Tunstall. He is credited with founding the original church at Ormskirk, Lancashire — the town’s name, Orm’s kirkja, meaning “the church of Orm/Orme,” reflects this early ecclesiastical connection.
Traditionally celebrated as a “le Guidon” (standard-bearer), Orme served his Norman overlords militarily, and his descendants adopted surnames such as “de Darlaston,” “FitzOrm(e),” and “de Biddulph,” carrying forward his bloodline. Though the “Orme” surname itself did not always persist in these lines, his legacy lives on through the church at Ormskirk and the historic estates of Staffordshire.
Military
Brigadier General William W. Orme (1832 - 1866), USA
William Ward Orme was a lawyer in Illinois who became a Union Army officer in the Civil War. He raised and commanded the 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was promoted to Brigadier-General of Volunteers in November 1862. His brigade notably led Union forces into Vicksburg after its surrender — a key moment in the war.
After the war front’s demands worsened his health, Orme was assigned to command Camp Douglas in Chicago, and later served as a Supervising Agent for the U.S. Treasury. He died of tuberculosis on 13 September 1866 in Bloomington, Illinois, at only 34 years old.
Captain Robert Orme (c. 1725 - 1790), UK
Captain Orme was a British Army officer who served as aide-de-camp to General Edward Braddock during the early stages of the French and Indian War. In 1755 he fought at the ill-fated Battle of the Monongahela alongside a young George Washington; though wounded when the British force was ambushed, Orme survived and returned to England the same year.
After resigning his commission in 1756, he settled in England and later married the Hon. Audrey Townshend. He lived out his life quietly, dying in 1790. He is perhaps best remembered through a dramatic portrait painted in 1756 by Joshua Reynolds — today displayed at the National Gallery, London. Also see Wikipedia.
Historians, Writers & Scholars
David Orme (1948 - ), Author & Poet
Prolific writer with more than 250 books, particularly known for children’s literature and educational series aimed at improving literacy. Also see Wikipedia.
Nicholas Orme (1942 - ), Medieval Historian
A leading expert on medieval religion, childhood, and education. Professor at the University of Exeter and author of authoritative works such as Medieval Children and The History of England’s Cathedrals. Also see Wikipedia.
Robert Orme (1728 - 1801), British Historian
One of the earliest and most influential historians of British India. His major work, A History of the Military Transactions of the British Nation in Indostan, remains a foundational text. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society. Also see Wikipedia.
Robert Orme (1685 - 1745), Playwright & Translator
An 18th-century dramatist known for theatrical works and translations, often featured in collections of early British drama.
Sports
Harry Orme (1826–1864), Boxer
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. Also see Wikipedia.
Geoff Orme, Professional Footballer
Active in English league football (details vary by club), he is noted in historical football records as one of several Ormes who competed at professional or semi-professional levels.
J. S. Orme, Rugby Union Player
Represented prominent English clubs in the early 20th century; known among regional rugby historians.
Science & Engineering
Basil Orme, Engineer & Industrial Innovator
Recognised in mid-20th-century engineering circles for contributions to industrial design and mechanical development.
Historic Orme Lineages
The Orme surname is also closely tied to medieval families whose names appear in Domesday-era and later records. These lineages may be of special interest to genealogists:
The Ormes of Wormhill (Derbyshire)
A long-established family often linked with early Orme settlements and Viking-era place-names.
The Ormes of High Legh (Cheshire)
A notable landowning family documented from the medieval period through the 17th century.
The Ormes of Ormesby (Yorkshire)
A historic household believed to be connected to the origin of the place name “Ormesby.”
Orme of Trent (Saint Orme)
A medieval hermit or religious figure whose name appears in ecclesiastical histories and early place-name traditions.
Submit a Famous Orme
If you know of another Orme - past or present - who deserves recognition, you are welcome to contribute. Please send details so we can continue expanding this family archive.