Surname Morrell - Meaning and Origin

DNA Test Unveils Complex Ancestral Narrative Behind The Morrell Lineage

In recent years, I took the DNA test at iGENEA hoping to learn more about my family history, but the complex narrative behind my Morrell roots unexpectedly changed my self-understanding profoundly. From probable migrations and diverse geographical origins to potential societal influences — I realized my identity is forged from a rich, intricate past.

R. Morrell

Morrell: What does the surname Morrell mean?

The surname Morrell has origins rooted in medieval England and France. It is a derivation of the personal name “Morel”, which is considered as a diminutive form of the name “Maur”, derived from the Latin word “Maurus” or “Maurusius”, meaning 'dark or swarthy’. The name was often used to refer to someone who had a dark complexion or someone from North Africa. However, over time the term began to refer to someone with a dark or sullen countenance.

In some cases, the name Morrell has derived from the old French term 'morel' which refers to a particular type of brown mushroom. This suggests that the original bearers of this surname could have been gatherers or traders of this product.

It is also important to remember that spelling variations of surnames were common due to the lack of standardized spellings during older times. Hence surnames like Morel, Morrel, Morrell, Morrill, Morell, and many others often refer to the same family lineage. Over centuries, this surname has spread across various parts of the globe during periods of migration, colonization, and exploration. Today, individuals with the Morrell surname can be found in various countries like England, France, Scotland, the United States, Australia, and other countries.

Morrell: Where does the name Morrell come from?

The last name Morrell is found primarily in the United States and United Kingdom. In the US, the most common locations are New England, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. The main concentration in the UK is located in London and the southeast England counties of Sussex, Essex, and Kent. It is also found in other parts of Europe including Ireland, France, and Spain.

The name has roots as an ancient Anglo-Norman surname which was introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is found most notably in records of the Morrell-Morel-Morrell family in Scotland dating back to the 16th century.

In the US, the surname is associated with the early settlers and frontier people of New England and other regions. Even today, when you look at maps of the US, many towns and neighborhoods throughout the Northeast contain the word “Morrell” in either their names or within their boundary lines.

Beyond the US, the name is seen in other places across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to its emergence as a surname, the name has also become a given name in some countries.

Overall, the surname Morrell is found in some capacity in many places across the world.

Variations of the surname Morrell

The surname Morrell is a habitational name, derived from the Old French word “moratiel” which means “place by a pond”. This surname can be found in various spellings and variations, including Morrill, Murril, Morril, Murrell, and Morrall. It can also be found as Morillo and Muriel in Spain and Morraco and Morral in Portugal.

One of the earliest recorded versions of this name was Morral or Morrall, which was found in ancient rolls from Cheshire, England (dated 1276). In French, one of the earliest known recordings was William Moratill, who was documented in Eure-et-Loir, France in 1262.

In America, early records show the first of this family were Thomas Morrill and John Murrill, who arrived in Virginia in 1622. Other bearers of this name in America were Thomas Morrell (1693), Thomas Morrill (1716), John Morrill (1721), Christopher Murrill (1722), Thomas Morrill (1732).

Variations of this family name can also be found in Scotland and Ireland, such as Murrell, Murral, Morrell, Morrill, Murral, and Morill. In Gaelic, Murrell, Murral, and Morill are translated to Mac Muireadach, Ó Muireadach and Muireadach respectively.

The Morrell/Morril/Murrell family is widespread across the globe, spanning from Europe to the United States and beyond. It is a unique and varied surname, one that has been around for centuries and is still used in many different ways today.

Famous people with the name Morrell

• Tom Morrell: A renowned steel guitar player from Texas, known for his swinging jazz-inspired playing style.
• Kurt Morrell: A former MLB pitcher who played for the Houston Astros in the early 1970s.
• Frankie Morrell: An actress who is best known for her roles in movies such as The Hunger Games and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
• Nicola Morrell: A dancer and choreographer based in Los Angeles who has worked on films and music videos for Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna.
• Aaron Morrell: A former NFL defensive end who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1998-2001.
• Kelly Morrell: A Canadian actor who is best known for her roles in Degrassi: The Next Generation and Little Men.
• Emily Morrell: An American actress who is best known for her roles in popular TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy and The Good Place.
• Gerald Morrell: A coin and currency collector and dealer who has written a number of books on the subject.
• Lindsay Morrell: A notable voice actress who has voiced a number of popular cartoon and video game characters.
• Kurt Morrell: A former Major League Soccer player who played for the Colorado Rapids from 2002-2006.

Other surnames

Morrel