Where did the Norway rat originate,?

Question

Being there are worldwide populations is there any proof they originated in Norway?

Answer 1

They originated in Norway.  Hence the obscure name "Norway Rat."  

Actually the Norwegians call them "German Rats," while the English call them "French Rats."  The French call them, "English Rats," of course.  The Chinese call them, "dinner."

Just to confirm, I asked one myself.  I screamed at the poor thing, "If you're from Norway, take off!"  And off she ran, proving the point to the satisfaction of your average voter.

Answer 2

Probably originated someplace in Asia. They were unknown in Europe before the 18th century.

Answer 3

The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), also called the brown rat and common rat, actually originated in Asia. It was once thought to have originated from Norway, hence the name, but this has now proved incorrect. This is the species from which pet rats are descended. It is larger and more adaptable than its cousin the black rat (Rattus rattus), also called the ship rat or roof rat, which was the first rat to arrive in Europe (also from Asia) on ships. It was this species which carried the plague fleas that infected people with the Black Death. When the Norway rat arrived in Europe, it out-competed its smaller relative - the black rat is now rare in Europe.

Answer 4

rats are just rodents (thank God not as big as Rodents of Unusual Size ) and adaptable almost everywhere the tall ships took them. They got their name from the ships in fact and Norways ships were refused docking priveledges often in the 16th century as a result of infestations and the bad press of them on board...

Answer 5

Well I assume so