Surname Morrissy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Morrissy: What does the surname Morrissy mean?
The surname Morrissy has Irish origins and is mainly found in Waterford, Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Muirgheasa," which translates to "descendant of Muirgheas." The name Muirgheas is a combination of two words, "muir" meaning "sea" and "gais" meaning "action," hence it could possibly denote someone who is active at sea, suggesting a seafaring ancestor. However, keep in mind that surnames carrying an 'Ó' or 'Mac' were not always related to professions or characteristics. They were often attached to distinguish between different families and clans, especially those of the same community. Like many surnames that have been passed down through generations, Morrissy could have multiple derivatives and spelling variations such as Morrissey, Morrisey and so on. Its bearers may not necessarily share a common ancestor or origins. The meaning and origin of the last name can also be influenced by geographical, historical, and cultural factors.
Order DNA origin analysisMorrissy: Where does the name Morrissy come from?
The last name Morrissy is most commonly found in Ireland today. It was first found in County Cork in the south of the country, where records of the name date back to the 16th century. In Cork, as well as in other parts of Ireland, the name is still found today, particularly in rural areas.
Outside of Ireland, the last name can also be found in pockets around the world. In the United States, the highest concentration of Morrissy families can be found in Massachusetts, while in Canada, the name is particularly common in the province of Ontario. In England, the name is also relatively widespread, especially in East Anglia and East Yorkshire. In Australia, the last name is fairly common in parts of Victoria and New South Wales.
The origin of the name is believed to be a Norman one, derived from the French 'Maures'. It is thought to be a reference to dark haired folk, although there is some speculation that it may have been a nickname for a person who was particularly stubborn or headstrong.
Regardless of the origins, the name has since become widespread throughout many parts of the world, and is likely to remain a relatively common name for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Morrissy
The surname Morrissy can be spelt in a variety of ways including Morrisey, Morrissie, Morissy, Moricey and Morrissey. Despite the different spellings, all of these surnames are of the same origin.
The origins of the surname Morrissy are believed to be Anglo-Saxon. The name is derived from the medieval personal name Morris, which is a diminutive of the names Maurice and Morrice. It is believed that the name was taken up as a surname when people moved to live in a different location.
The earliest record of the surname was in 1086 when Robert Morissi is recorded in the 'Derbyshire Feudal Aids Roll'. From here, the Morrissy surname spread through England to Scotland and Ireland.
The variants of the surname Morrissy include Morrisey, Morrissie, Morissy, Moricey and Morrissey. Variations of the spellings of these surnames may also be found. In Scotland, the surnames Morrice, Morrissey and Moriss are variations of the name Morrissy. In Ireland, the most common variants of the surname include Morrissey, Moriarty and MacMaurice.
The name has been found to have spread to the United States by the mid 19th century. Here, the name can be found as all of the previous variants but also as O'Morrissy and O'Morrisey.
Overall, the surname Morrissy can be spelt and presented in a wide variety of ways. However, all the surnames mentioned are of the same origin and have a shared history.
Famous people with the name Morrissy
- Daniel Morrissy: Gaelic footballer for Cork
- Anthony Morrissy: Canadian drag racers who won in the Super Pro category
- Robert Morrissy: former professional American soccer player
- Brian Morrissy: Irish professional footballer
- Maurice Morrissy: Author of the book 'The Blue Bird of Happiness'
- Bernie Morrissy: Founder of the first radio station in the US devoted exclusively to jazz and classical music (WKCR)
- Capt. Michael Morrissy: Leader of the 4th Maryland Regiment in the Revolutionary War
- Conor Morrissy: Member of numerous rock bands
- Drew Morrissy: Australian television and theatre actor
- Danny Morrissy: Former boxer from Pennsylvania