Show ContentsMorris History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Morris Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Early Origins of the Morris family

The surname Morris was first found in Kerry, Galway and Mayo.

Early History of the Morris family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morris research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1485, 1810 and 1893 are included under the topic Early Morris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morris Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fitzmaurice, Fitzmorris, FitzMaurice, FitzMorris, Morris and many more.

Early Notables of the Morris family

  • Francis Orpen Morris (1810-1893) of Cork, author of works on natural history...

Morris World Ranking

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

Morris migration to the United States +



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" 9
  • Mary Morris, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 9
  • Mr. Richard Morris of London who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
  • Mrs. Leonora Morris of London who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
  • Mr. Thomas Morris of Nottingham who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 10
  • ... (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 11
  • Ellinor Morris, who landed in Virginia in 1706 11
  • Elianor Morris, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 11
  • Adam Morris, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • Christian Morris, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 11
  • ... (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 11
  • Ainsley Morris, aged 17, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 11
  • Ephraim Morris, who landed in New York in 1834 11
  • Gualterio Morris, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1837 11
  • Miss Hannah Morris, aged 6, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Britannia" on 20th July 1840
  • ... (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 12
  • Caroline Elizabeth Morris, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1912 11

Morris migration to Canada +

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 13
  • Mr. David Morris U.E. (b. 1751) who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1817 13
  • 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 13
  • 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 13
  • ... (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.)

Morris migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. John Morris, Welsh settler convicted in Flint, Flinshire in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Guardian" leaving in 1789 she struck an iceberg in 1789 and was turned back to Cape Town, Africafinally arriving in New South Wales in 1790 8
  • Mr. John Chapman Morris, (John Stevens), , British settler convicted in Berkshire, England in 1788, sentenced to life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Guardian" leaving in 1789 she struck an iceberg in 1789 and was turned back to Cape Town, Africafinally arriving in New South Wales in 1790, he died in 1806 9
  • Mr. George Morris, (Robert), British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
  • Mr. David Morris, (1767 - 1790), aged 22, Welsh settler convicted at Montgomery, Wales in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
  • Mr. Thomas Morris, (1757 - 1790), aged 32, British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
Second Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth Morris, (1775 - 1852), aged 15, British settler convicted in Bristol, Somerset, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
  • Mr. Henry Morris, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a horse, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791, may have died on the ship 9
  • Mr. John Morris, Welsh settler convicted in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
  • Mr. William Morris, British settler convicted in Middlesex in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Peter Morris, (b. 1759), aged 28, English settler convicted in Bristol, England on 12th July 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Morris Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Morris Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

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
  • 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 20
  • Mr. T. Morris, (b. 1824), aged 15, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 20
  • 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
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. 21
Morris Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Edward Morris, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 22
  • Humphrey Morris, aged 18, who settled in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon"

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
  • John Wallace Morris (1941-2025), American Major League Baseball pitcher, left-hander, appeared in 132 games played, all but ten as a relief pitcher, during all or parts of eight seasons between 1966 and 1974 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Pilots / Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants
  • William Noel Morris (1932-2025), known as Bill Morris, was an American politician in Tennessee, served as mayor of Shelby County, including the city of Memphis, sheriff of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, president of the Tennessee County Services Association, an organization of county officials
  • Christell George Morris (b. 1918), née Stocks, American technician in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Eugene Edward "Mercury" Morris (1947-2024), American professional football player
  • Eugene E. Morris, American politician
  • Darius Aaron Morris (1991-2024), American professional NBA basketball player who played from 2011 to 2020
  • 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
  • ... (Another 384 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Centaur
  • Albert James Morris (d. 1943), Australian Second Steward who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Thomas Venables Morris (d. 1943), Australian Second Radio Operator who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Matthew A. Morris, Australian Greaser who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • 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 23
  • 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 24
  • ... (Another 32 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Morris 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: Si Deus nobiscum qui contra nos
Motto Translation: If God be with us, who can be against us.

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.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  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)
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  8. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  9. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. 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
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  17. 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
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

Houseofnames.com on Facebook