Surname Morrah - Meaning and Origin
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Morrah: What does the surname Morrah mean?
The surname Morrah is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic term "mor" meaning "great". This name was often given to individuals who were prominent or highly respected within their communities. It was commonly used in the western part of Scotland and the Hebrides islands. It may also be a locational name, referring to people from the Moray area in northeast Scotland. Like many surnames, Morrah may have developed various spellings over the centuries due to migration and pronunciation variations. It's important to note that surnames often carry historical and regional significance, making them valuable tools in genealogy and family history research.
Order DNA origin analysisMorrah: Where does the name Morrah come from?
The last name Morrah is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. In the U.S., there are high concentrations in California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas.
In the U.K., Morrah is found primarily in the South East of England. This includes counties such as Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and Essex. The west of Scotland also has communities with the last name Morrah.
In Ireland, the name is thought to have stemmed from the Gaelic language and likely originated in the North West. In particular, counties including Donegal, Derry, Tyrone, Mayo, and Louth have been known to have high populations of the Morrah surname.
The name is not particularly common in other parts of Europe or the world, however, it has been recorded in countries such as Canada and Australia.�
Although the origins of the name are unclear, it is believed to be a derivative of the personal name Maurice or Morris, both of which are common names in the Celtic culture.
On a global scale, the last name Morrah may be considered rare, however, it is not uncommon in certain parts of the world. Those living in the U.K., Ireland, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and elsewhere with the last name Morrah can proudly trace their history and roots back to their Celtic heritage.
Variations of the surname Morrah
The surname Morrah is typically associated with Irish origins, thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "O'Murchadha" meaning "lord of the sea". The name is also sometimes referred to as O'Morrah, O'Murrah, Murry, Murrey, Morry, Morrey, Murrow, Murrough, Morrogh or even Murrygh.
The Irish origin of the name can be traced back to the 12th-century A.D. when a branch of the O'Murchadha family settled in County Waterford, where the name was first recorded in written form some time around the 12th century. The name was also recorded by the Four Masters, an Irish annals written in the 17th century. The O'Murchadha family, which was affiliated with the McMorrough dynasty, was traditionally prominent throughout leinster and their amplified wealth and influence resulted in them also claiming over lands in several other counties in Ireland.
Today the surname Morrah is widely recorded in Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand and countless native countries. Many descendents of the O'Murchadha family spell the surname in various ways, most commonly using the Anglicised spellings Morrah, Murry and Morry. Like any other surname, variations occur from region to region and some of the other accepted spellings appear to loosely correlate depending on the nation where it is used.
The surname is most commonly found in England, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. Variations in naming traditions over the years mean that it is possible to encounter the surname in many shapes and forms, with Murrah and the variations Murrow, Murrough, Morrogh, and Murrygh also being found in records.
Famous people with the name Morrah
- Rhea Morrah: American dancer, actress and cabaret artist.
- gift_kise_official: British Twitch streamer, cosplayer, and Youtuber.
- John Morrah: Headed a law firm in Oakland, California, and was a champion for civil rights and social justice.
- Fiona Morrah: Australian film and television screenwriter.
- Arthur Morrah: American former Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- David Morrah: British diplomat and international relations expert.
- Phyllis Morrah: British sporting artist.
- Tony L Morrah: English sportsman who played cricket and rugby union.
- Mathew C. Morrah: American professor of History, specializing in African American History at the University of Houston.
- George H. Morrah: American politician and member of the Vermont House of Representatives.