Contents [hide]

Moores History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Moores History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

There are several distinct sources of the Moores surname in Ireland. Most of the name find their roots with the Anglo-Norman "Strongbow" invasion of the 12th century. Many of these became de Mora. Others derived from the Old Irish "O Mordha," from the word "mordha," meaning "stately," or "noble." 1 The English surname Moores is derived from the personal name "More," which is itself derived from the Old French word "maur," meaning "Moor."

Early Origins of the Moores family

The surname Moores was first found in Munster, where the name was firmly established shortly after the Strongbow invasion of Ireland in 1172. 1

'Aimergin Ua Mordha, A.D. 1026.' O'Mordha is Anglicised O'More and More, which has now usually become Moore, The O'Mores were a powerful sept in Ireland." 2

"Donal Mór (d. 1194), son of Turlough, was the last King of North Munster. " 3 The Guinness or MacGunness family claim descent from Cionga, son of Rory Mór and had a similar coat of arms complete with a gold lion on a green shield denoting their heritage.

Moore or O'Moore were the hereditary Lords of Leix. Of this branch was Charles O'More who had a younger brother named Rory Oge who in 1587 was slain by the English.

The Moores of Rahinduffe, Queen's County are a branch of this previous family. Of note was Anthony O'Moore who joined with the O'Neills and defeated the English army in 1598. 3

Early History of the Moores family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moores research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1600, 1620, 1621, 1627, 1641, 1655, 1700, 1703, 1706, 1729, 1730, 1767, 1791, 1795, 1798, 1799 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Moores History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moores Spelling Variations

A single person's name was often spelt simply as it sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. An investigation into the specific origins the name Moores has revealed that such a practice has resulted in many spelling variations over the years. A few of its variants include: Moore, More, Moor, O'More, Moores, Mores, McMore, Moire, Moare, MacMoore, McMoir, Moir, Moors, O'Moore, O'Moire, McMoare, MacMoir, MacMoare, Mooer and many more.

Early Notables of the Moores family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Rory O'More (d. 1557) and his son Rory Og O'More, who were both Irish leaders in the wars against the English (Tudor) Kings; Rory O'Moore (Roger O'Moore, O'More, Sir Roger Moore) (c.1600-1655), an Irish landowner of ancient lineage, most notable for being one of the four principal organizers of the Irish Rebellion of 1641; Rory "Roger" More...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Moores Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moores Ranking

In the United States, the name Moores is the 9,795^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Moores is ranked the 109^th most popular surname with an estimated 317 people with that name. 5

Moores migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Moores:

Moores Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Edmund Moores, who arrived in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1640 6
Richard Moores, who arrived in Virginia in 1649 6
Robert Moores, who landed in Virginia in 1657 6
Marie Moores, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1659 6

Moores Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ernst Moores, who landed in New York in 1850 6
J R Moores, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1855 6

Moores migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Moores Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Moores, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. William Moores, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Stephen Moores, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Mr. Thomas Moores, (Moore), (b. 1792), aged 27, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1841 9
Mr. William Moores, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Moores (post 1700) +

John Jay Moores (b. 1944), American entrepreneur and philanthropist, former owner of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball
Col. Isaac R. Moores (1796-1861), American soldier and politician, Member of the Oregon Territorial Legislature (1855-1856)
John Henry Moores (1821-1880), American businessman and politician, Member of the Oregon State Senate (1870-1874), Mayor of Salem, Oregon (1864, 1866-1868), son of Isaac Moores
Eldridge Moores (b. 1938), American geologist who specializes in the understanding of ophiolites
David Richard Moores (1946-2022), British football executive, Chairman of Liverpool F.C. from 1991 to 2007 and later the club's honorary life president
Sir Peter Moores CBE, DL (1932-2016), British businessman, art collector and philanthropist, son of Sir John Moores, founder of the Peter Moores Foundation supporting music and the visual arts
John Moores Jr. CBE, DL, (1928-2012), English academic, 2nd Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University (1994-1999), eldest son of businessman Sir John Moores
Ian Richard Moores (1954-1998), English footballer who played from 1974 to 1989 including for the England U-23 National Team in 1975
Sir John Moores CBE (1896-1993), British businessman and philanthropist, founder of Littlewoods retail company, eponym of Liverpool John Moores University
Frank Duff Moores (1933-2005), Newfoundland politician, 2nd Premier of Newfoundland (1972-1979)
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Moores family +

RMS Titanic

Mr. Richard Henry Moores (d. 1912), aged 44, English Trimmer from London, England who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 11

SS Caribou

Mr. Percy P. Moores, British passenger who was Royal Navy was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Hubert Moores, Newfoundlander from Turks Cove, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived

The Moores Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Conlan-a-bu
Motto Translation: Conlan forever.

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
Moore, A.W., Manx Names. London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1906. Print
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html