There are a variety of sources given for the Orr name, which is essentially of Scottish origin. Edward MacLysaght, an authority on Gaelic names, states that the name is derived from the parish of Orr, or Urr, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire.

Following up on this suggestion we find the Parish of Urr (Pre-1975 Parish ref.884 in Dumfries and Galloway Region) to the north-west of the town of Dalbeattie.

The Parish of Urr is quite long being some 14 miles in the North-South direction and between one and six miles wide. Overall the area is about thirty five square miles. Through the Parish runs the Waters of Urr or River Urr that has its origins in Loch Urr. The river flows 26 miles from its source in rather desolate moorlands through some beautiful wooded valleys and farmland to the sea and the Solway Firth. For about 10 miles the river is the western boundary of the parish. The river was at one time very good fishing from which large salmon have been taken.

The terrain is of rolling hills, none of which are especially high, but enough to give splendid views to the hill walker. The river valley has good soil and rich pastures where sheep and cattle, including the long haired Galloway, are reared. On the steeper slopes are timber plantations, nowadays mainly Scotch fir, although ash, elm and oak can be seen.

A common feature is the use of stone walls rather than wire fences around the fields, and stone pens are still in use for holding sheep and cattle. The occasional stone "bothy" or shepherd's hut is also to be seen.

It is easy to see that this land of forests and mosses was once home to now extinct species of wild boar, wolf, bear, deer and the urus, a kind of ox. It is possible that the Urr/Orr name stemmed from the Latin and also the Norse word urus for wild ox and boar. The spelling has varied from Vr, Ure, Hurr, Whur and Wur but the sound of it remains reasonably constant.

In the primitive language of the Basques, a race said to be older than the Celts, Urr signifies water, or close to water. So it is reasonable to believe that Urr is "from the river" and applies to the Celts who lived on its banks.