Contents [hide]

Morgan History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Morgan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland
Scotland

The Morgan name is Celtic in origin, arising from the ancient Britons of Wales. It comes from the Old Welsh personal name Morcant, composed of the Welsh elements "mor," meaning "sea," and cant meaning "circle."

Early Origins of the Morgan family

The surname Morgan was first found in Caernarvonshire (Welsh: Sir Gaernarfon), a former county in Northwest Wales, anciently part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and today divided between the unitary authorities of Gwynedd and Conwy. The surname is derived from the "Welsh personal name of high antiquity. The founder of the Pelagain heresy, in the fourth century, was a true Welshman and a monk of Bangor. His name was Morgan, which signifies 'Of the Sea' and this was correctly Latinized Pelagius. The Morgans of Golden Grove, co. Flint, descend from Marchudd ap Cynan, founder of the eighth noble tribe of North Wales and Powys. " 1

Early History of the Morgan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morgan research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1589, 1600, 1604, 1608, 1624, 1625, 1635, 1641, 1653, 1654, 1664, 1673, 1679, 1680, 1682, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1697, 1698, 1700, 1705, 1715, 1724, 1749, 1751, 1753, 1760, 1761, 1770, 1774, 1790 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Morgan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morgan Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Morgan have included Morgan, Morgen, Morgain, Morgaine and others.

Early Notables of the Morgan family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Admiral Sir Henry Morgan (ca. 1635-1688), Welsh pirate who raided Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbean, and became acting Governor of Jamaica (1680-1682)
William Morgan (1560-1653), a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons of England in 1624 and 1625, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
Thomas Morgan (c.1589-1664), a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654
Major-General Sir Thomas Morgan, 1st Baronet (1604-1679), a Welsh soldier during the English Civil War, Commander-in-Chief in Scotland during the Restoration
Robert Morgan (1608-1673), a Welsh bishop of Bangor
William Morgan (died 1690), English cartographer, best known for his large map of the City of London

Morgan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Morgan is the 57^th most popular surname with an estimated 293,466 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Morgan is ranked the 173^rd most popular surname with an estimated 20,582 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Morgan is the 44^th popular surname with an estimated 514 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Morgan as 68^th with 33,813 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Morgan as 30^th with 5,745 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Morgan as 38^th with 92,647 people. 7 South Africa ranks Morgan as 782^nd with 8,831 people. 8

Migration of the Morgan family to Ireland

Some of the Morgan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morgan migration to the United States +

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Morgan were found:

Morgan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Morgan, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1610 aboard the ship "Starr" 9
Benedict Morgan, from London, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 aboard the ship "Fortune" 10
Edmund Morgan, who settled in Virginia in 1623
Mr. Roger Morgan, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 11
Mr. Walter Morgan, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Morgan, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 10
David Morgan, who arrived in America in 1700 10
Enoch Morgan, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1701 10
Adam Morgan, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1747 10
George Morgan, who landed in America in 1760-1763 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Morgan, who arrived in America in 1806 10
Aron Morgan, who landed in America in 1809 10
Alexander Morgan, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
Charles Morgan, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1812 10
Felix Morgan, aged 46, who landed in New York in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morgan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Dixey Morgan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. James Morgan U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 235 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 12

Morgan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Henry Morgan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1811
Anne Morgan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
Francis Morgan, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Forth" in 1833
Jane Morgan, aged 22, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Forth" in 1833
William Morgan, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Forth" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan migration to Australia +

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

Morgan Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. George Morgan, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Morgan, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Morgan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Cornelius Morgan, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Hugh Morgan, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Morgan, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Morgan, Irish convict who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Ann Morgan, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Morgan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Jane Emily Morgan, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Robert Morgan, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
Thomas Morgan, aged 32, a brickmaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Mary Ann Morgan, aged 34, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
John Morgan, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morgan migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Morgan Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Pierce Morgan, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 17
Mr. William Morgan, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 17
Evan Morgan, who settled in Barbados in 1680
Griffith Morgan, who settled in Jamaica in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Morgan (post 1700) +

Ted Morgan (1932-2023), born Count Sanche Charles Armand Gabriel de Gramont, Swiss-born, American biographer, journalist, and historian
Lucy Morgan (1940-2023), American long-time reporter and editorialist at the Tampa Bay Times
William Jason Morgan (1935-2023), known as W. Jason Morgan, an American geophysicist who made seminal contributions to the theory of plate tectonics and geodynamics, awarded the Maurice Ewing Medal (1987), Japan Prize (1990), Wollaston Medal (1994) and the Vetlesen Prize (2000)
Johnny Morgan (1947-2023), American politician, Member of the Mississippi Senate from 1983 to 1991
Tommy Morgan (1932-2022), born Thomas Morgan Edwards, an American harmonicist and session musician, considered one of the most heard harmonica players in the world, playing in over 500 feature films
Henry Coke Morgan Jr. (1935-2022), American jurist, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (2004-2022)
Alton E. Morgan (1932-2022), American politician, born in Gardiner, Maine, he served in the Maine House of Representatives in 1997 and 1998
Denroy Morgan (1946-2022), Jamaican-born, American reggae artist
Michael DeVard Morgan (1957-2021), American conductor and music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony for 30 years
Misty Morgan (1945-2021), American country music singer, part of the duo Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan
... (Another 388 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Morgan family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Lindale Morgan (1959-1985), American Private 1st Class from Enfield, North Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 18

Empress of Ireland

Mr. James Morgan, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 19
Mr. William Leslie Morgan (1894-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Miss Lily Else Morgan (1893-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Mr. James Oswald Morgan (1850-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19

Fraterville mine

Mr. William Morgan (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 20

Halifax Explosion

Mr. William G. Morgan (1894-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 21
Mr. J. R. Morgan (1894-1917), English Chief Officer aboard the SS Curaca from Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21

HMS Dorsetshire

Victor Morgan, British aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 22
Edgar Morgan (d. 1945), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 22

HMS Hood

Mr. Ronald Morgan (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Darlington, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23
Mr. Albert H Morgan (b. 1921), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Barking, Essex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Howard William Morgan, British Joiner 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. Vivian Morgan, British Stoker Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Harry John Morgan (b. 1893), "Jack" British Chief Petty Officer Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. James W Morgan, British Engine Room Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. William J Morgan, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. William D Morgan, British Seaman Able Bodied, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ibrox disaster

Russell Morgan (1957-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Dumbartonshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 26

Mount Mulligan Mine

Rupert E. Morgan, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

North Sea Flood

Gerald Morgan, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

Jane Ann Morgan (1951-1988), American Attorney from London, England, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 27

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Thomas Morgan (b. 1858), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28
Mr. William Morgan (b. 1840), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28
Mr. Williams Morgan (b. 1857), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 28

RMS Titanic

Mr. Charles Frederick "Bird" Morgan (d. 1912), aged 42, English Assistant Storekeeper from Birkenhead, Cheshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29
Mr. Arthur Herbert Morgan (d. 1912), aged 27, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29
Mr. Thomas A. Morgan (d. 1912), aged 26, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Benjamin Morgan (b. 1894), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. David Lewis Morgan (b. 1878), Welsh coal miner from Penyrheol, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. David Morgan (b. 1884), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Ernest Morgan (b. 1898), Welsh coal miner from Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Francis Lewis Morgan (b. 1878), Welsh coal miner from Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
... (Another 5 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Southern Cross

Mr. Joseph Morgan (1869-1914), Newfoundlander from Seal Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
Mr. Alexander Morgan (1894-1914), Newfoundlander from Seal Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

USS Arizona

Mr. Wayne Morgan, American Seaman First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 30

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
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)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html