norrie was born on july 27, 1857 in new york city. he was the eldest son of gordon norrie (1830–1909) and emily frances (née lanfear) norrie (1836–1917). among his siblings was mary lanfear norrie, dr. van horne norrie, sara goodhue norrie, adam gordon norrie (who married margaret lewis morgan, sister of geraldine livingston morgan), emily lanfear norrie, who died unmarried in 1936.