Surname Morrison - Meaning and Origin

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E. Morrison

Morrison: What does the surname Morrison mean?

The last name Morrison is a popular surname in the English language as well as in other countries around the world. Here in the United States, the surname is recorded as being of Scottish and Irish origin. Scottish origins are largely attributed to the early settlement of the Scottish Lowlands and, thus, the surname is derived from several different Gaelic names beginning with the word 'Mor' or 'mhor', meaning 'great'. Irish origin is likely due to the Anglicization of several Gaelic surnames, including the Gaelic MacGilleMhuire, meaning 'son of Gille Mhuire' (which translates to 'servant of Mary' or 'follower of Mary').

The meaning of the last name Morrison is thought to refer to 'son of Morris' or 'son of Maurice'. The individual name Maurice or Morris is also derived from the Latin name Mauritius, which itself has various definitions, but ultimately translates to 'dark' or 'sombre'. Therefore, the symbolic meaning behind the last name Morrison could refer to someone who is of dark or sombre complexion. The last name Morrison could also be derived from a personal nickname, which is often found with Scottish surnames.

Considering its roots, the last name Morrison is highly pervasive, likely because people named Morris or Maurice lived a wide range of locations and occupations - from merchants to shepherds to pastors. The Morrison surname has grown in popularity, appearing in various countries around the world. Even in the United States, the prominence of the last name Morrison is quite apparent, showing up on every census count since The US Census of 1880. Now the last name Morrison can be found in huge segments of the population, spanning nations and cultures.

Morrison: Where does the name Morrison come from?

The last name Morrison is of Scottish descent and is quite common today, particularly in the UK and Ireland. It is estimated that there are over 80,000 bearers of the name, many of whom are descendants of early Scottish settlers.

In the United States, the last name Morrison is ranked as the 483rd most common surname. It is especially prevalent in the southern states that were settled by Scottish Highlanders and Irish immigrants during the 19th century. The states of Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina are among those with the highest population of Morrisons.

It also has a significant presence in Canada, particularly in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. The Canadian provinces that share a border with the United States have a higher concentration of Morrisons because of the movement of Scottish and Irish settlers across the country during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Morrison name is not confined to North America, however. There are still a number of Morrisons living in Scotland, Ireland, as well as England and Wales. Additionally, a small but notable amount of bearers are found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India.

In short, the last name Morrison is common in many regions, including North America and the British Isles. Its presence is likely to continue for many years to come due to its strong Scottish and Irish heritage.

Variations of the surname Morrison

The surname Morrison is an Anglicized version of the given name Morrish, which is of Scottish and Irish origin, meaning "son of Morris". Variations and spellings of this surname include: Morrisson, O'Morison, macMorrish, MacMorris, MacMurrish, and McMorris.

A variant of this common surname is Morrisonn. This is a variant spelling found primarily in America, where some individuals with the same surname have an 'e' before the “r”, creating a slightly different spelling.

In Ireland, there is a variant of the surname Morrison, O'Muirgheasain. This is the Irish form of the surname, found mainly in the counties of Galway, Wexford, Clare and Mayo. It is derived from the Gaelic words “muirgheas” which means “seaman” and “sain” which means “kind”.

In Scotland, the variation of the surname Morison is most likely derived from the old Scottish surname Morrison. This variation is found mainly in the area of Moray, where the Morrison family has origins.

Other surnames derived from Morrison are Morris, Morrisey, Murrison, Morrissy, Morrice and Morrissey. Morris is the most common variation found particularly in England and Australia. Morris and Morrison today are two of the most common Scottish surnames in the world.

Overall, the surname Morrison has many variations and spellings stemming from its Scottish and Irish roots. The variants of the name can range from simply different spellings to drastically changed versions, depending on location and culture.

Famous people with the name Morrison

• Van Morrison, singer and songwriter
• Jim Morrison, singer and composer best known for his work with the Doors
• Peter Morrison, British politician
• Joelle Morrison, Canadian basketball player
• George S. Morrison, rear admiral in the United States Navy
• Shane Morrison, Canadian football player
• Craig Morrison, Scottish footballer
• Jim Morrison, former professional American football player
• Robert Morrison, Presbyterian missionary
• Dame Tessa Jowell, Baroness Jowell of Brixton, English Labour Party politician and Member of the House of Lords
• John H. Morrison, American businessman, philanthropist, and producer
• Stanley Morrison, Canadian composer and church musician
• Zella Morrison, American politician
• Juliette Morris, British Opera singer
• Hermione Norris, British actress
• Dorothy Morrison, American writer
• Robert Morrison, American politician
• Duncan Morrison, Scottish swimmer
• Laura Mvula, English singer, songwriter and record producer
• Joanne Morrison, American actress

Other surnames

MorrisMorriseyMorrisseyMorrissyMorrisy