Show ContentsMorris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

This old Welsh surname comes from the Latin personal name Mauritius, which means dark. In Britain, Maurice was the learned form of the name, while Morice was the common form. The surname Morris was likely also assumed as a surname after being a nickname for a dark or swarthy person.

Early Origins of the Morris family

The surname Morris was first found in Herefordshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Morris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morris research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1663, 1670, 1672 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Morris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morris Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Morris has occasionally been spelled Morris, Morriss, Moriss, Morrice, Morice, Moris and others.

Early Notables of the Morris family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

  • John Morris (fl. 1663-1672), Welsh pirate active in the Caribbean during the 1660s throught the 1670s...
  • More recently of note were Lewis Morris of New York, and Robert Morris of Pennsylvania, signers of the American Declaration of Independence...

Morris World Ranking

In the United States, the name Morris is the 53rd most popular surname with an estimated 310,875 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Morris is ranked the 140th most popular surname with an estimated 23,696 people with that name. [2] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Morris is the 116th popular surname with an estimated 304 people with that name. [3] Australia ranks Morris as 60th with 36,222 people. [4] New Zealand ranks Morris as 54th with 5,191 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks Morris as 33rd with 99,474 people. [6] South Africa ranks Morris as 556th with 12,485 people. [7]

Ireland Migration of the Morris family to Ireland

Some of the Morris family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Morris migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Morris

Morris Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Morris, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" [8]
  • Mary Morris, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" [8]
  • Mr. Richard Morris of London who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet [9]
  • Mrs. Leonora Morris of London who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet [9]
  • Mr. Thomas Morris of Nottingham who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morris Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Morris, who landed in Virginia in 1703 [10]
  • Ellinor Morris, who landed in Virginia in 1706 [10]
  • Elianor Morris, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 [10]
  • Adam Morris, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [10]
  • Christian Morris, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morris Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ann Morris, aged 21, who arrived in New Castle or Philadelphia in 1805 [10]
  • Ainsley Morris, aged 17, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 [10]
  • Ephraim Morris, who landed in New York in 1834 [10]
  • Gualterio Morris, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1837 [10]
  • Emanuel Morris, aged 27, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morris Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Henry Morris, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish stone cutter travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Barre City, Vermont [11]
  • Caroline Elizabeth Morris, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1912 [10]

Canada Morris migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morris Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Morris, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Mr. Charles Morris Jr., U.E. who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia c. 1783 [12]
  • Mr. David Morris U.E. (b. 1751) who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1817 [12]
  • Private. Lutheran Morris U.E. (b. 1737) born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, USA who settled in Parrsborough [Parrsboro], Nova Scotia c. 1784 he served in the New Jersey Volunteers 3rd Battalion, married to Catherine Ann Swan having 15 Children, he died in 1839 [12]
  • Sgt. Richard Morris U.E. (b. 1750) born in Ireland who settled in Nova Scotia c. 1784 he served in the New York Volunteers and 3rd Regiment of Foot, married twice having 8 children, he died in 1834 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morris Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Morris, aged 30, a plasterer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Charity" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Samuel Morris, aged 25, a plasterer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Charity" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Sarah Morris, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Charity" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Felix Morris, aged 26, a tailor, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Owen Morris, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Morris migration to Australia +

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

Morris Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Edward Morris, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
  • Mr. Richard Morris, (Price), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
Morris Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Martha Morris, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. Augustus Morris, (b. 1788), aged 15, British convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1824 [15]
  • Elijah Morris, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Mr. Peter Morris, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • John Morris, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Morris 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:

Morris Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Cornelius Morris, aged 50, a gardener, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Mary Morris, aged 36, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Ellen Morris, aged 16, a sempstress, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Anne Morris, aged 14, a sempstress, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
  • Mr. Thomas Morris, (b. 1823), aged 16, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 [19]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Morris 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. [20]
Morris Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Humphrey Morris, aged 18, who settled in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon"
  • Mr. Edward Morris, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 [21]

Contemporary Notables of the name Morris (post 1700) +

  • Stevland Hardaway Morris (b. 1950), born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has won 25 Grammy Awards, inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame
  • Chuck Morris (1977-2023), American percussionist, known for his work with Lotus, an instrumental electronic jam band
  • Charles Richard Morris (1939-2021), American lawyer, banker, and author. who wrote thirteen books, and was a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic Monthly, winner of the 2009 Gerald Loeb Award
  • Charles Manigault Morris (1820-1895), American officer in the United States Navy and later in the Confederate States Navy
  • Maren Larae Morris (b. 1990), American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her 2015 extended play, Maren Morris, charted on two Billboard charts. Hero, reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top Country Albums chart, and was certified platinum in the United States
  • Jeannie Morris (1935-2020), née Myers, an American sports journalist and author
  • William S. Morris (1919-1975), American Democratic Party politician, Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, 1969-73
  • William R. Morris, American politician, Delegate to Whig National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1839 (speaker)
  • William N. Morris, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for Tennessee, 1996
  • William H. Morris, American politician, Postmaster at Hurricane Bridge, Virginia, 1857-65
  • ... (Another 377 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Daisy Lillian Morris (1885-1914), née Coombs Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [22]
  • Mr. Arthur Morris (1881-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [22]
  • Major Frank Morris (1875-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from London, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland [22]
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Sarah  Morris, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries [23]
  • Mr. Martin  Morris, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
  • Mr. Ferdinand A.  Morris, Canadian Able Seaman with the Naval Department from Quebec, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
Hindenburg LZ-129
  • Mr. Nelson Morris (1891-1937), American Controlling Heir of Meat Packing/Stockyard Interests from Chicago, Illinois, USA, who was a passenger on board the Hindenburg LZ-129 and survived the Airship Fire [24]
HMAS Sydney II
HMS Prince of Wales
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. George Morris, British Signalman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [27]
  • Mr. George Morris, British Sergeant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking and was evacuated [27]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Peter J.T. Morris, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [28]
  • Charles Henry Morris (1903-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [28]
Monongah Mine
  • Mr. A. H. Morris (b. 1877), American coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [29]
  • Mr. Cecil Morris (b. 1888), Italian coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [29]
  • Mr. C. E. Morris (b. 1878), Slavic coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [29]
  • Mr. Marion Morris (b. 1889), Italian coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [29]
  • Mr. William Morris (b. 1881), Italian coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died [29]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. John Morris, English Trimmer from Mile End, London, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [30]
  • Reverend Hugh Carlton Syddall Morris, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [31]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Frank Herbert Morris, aged 28, English Bathroom Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 14 [32]
  • Mr. Arthur Morris (d. 1912), aged 30, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [32]
  • Mr. William Edward Morris (d. 1912), aged 22, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [32]
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. Edwin Morris (b. 1890), 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. John Morris (b. 1882), 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. Meyrick Morris (b. 1883), 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. Thomas James Morris (b. 1894), Welsh coal miner from who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
SS Alcoa Puritan
  • J.F. Morris, American from Mobile, Alabama, who was working aboard the SS Alcoa Puritan (1942) traveling from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Mobile, Alabama when it was torpedoed by U-boat U-507; he survived the sinking [33]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Owen Newton Morris, American Seaman First Class from Alabama, 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 [34]


Suggested Readings for the name Morris +

  • C.C.'s Clan: Morris, Arms, Mitchell and Related Families by Eula Eunice Park Mitchell.
  • The Morris, Arnold and Related Families by Louis Arnold Morris.

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  3. 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)
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  9. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
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  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  23. 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
  24. Hindenburg Disaster Passenger List | Airships.net. (Retrieved 2014, April 11) . Retrieved from http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/hindenburg-passenger-list/
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  27. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  28. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  29. Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).
  30. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  31. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  32. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  33. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Alcoa_Puritan_(1941) - (Retrieved 2018, February 8th)
  34. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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