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Show ContentsMorton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The surname Morton is a habitation name; derived from one of several places so named in England and Scotland. The place name was made up of the Old English elements "morr," meaning "marsh, or moor," and "tun," meaning en enclosure or settlement, collectively, "the moor-ton, the farm or enclosure on the moor." 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Morton family

The surname Morton was first found in Wiltshire, where a Robert de Mortone was recorded in the Pipe Rolls for that county in 1130. As this name was formed from several different place names, entirely different lines of the Morton surname arose throughout Britain. Other early records of the name include: William de Morton, on record in 1218 in the Feet of Fines for Oxford; and Thomas Morton, on record in the Feet of Fines for Surrey in 1432-33. 4

Another source states: "Cardinal Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor, temp. Henry Vii., was probably a descendant of the Norman knight. From the Cardinal's brother, Richard, descended the Mortons of Milbourne St. Andrew, co. Dorset, raised to the degree of baronets in 1619. " 5

Over in Lache-Dennis, Cheshire another early record of the family was found. "Ancient records mention a manor of Lach-Dennis or Lach-Park, near Rudheath, which, in the reign of Edward II., belonged to the Moreton family." 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the wide migration of the family at that time: Robert de Morton, Nottinghamshire; Egidius de Morton, Northamptonshire; Richard de Morton, Oxfordshire; and Felicia de Morton, Lincolnshire. All held lands in their respective counties. 1

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I listed: Alicia de Morton, Yorkshire, Henry III- Edward I; and Michael de Morton, Salop (Shropshire.) 7

In Yorkshire, early records there show Rogerus de Morton and Johannes de Morton as holding lands there in 1379, according to the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls. 1

The Register of the University of Oxford shows John Morton, Leicestershire as attending there in 1594.

Early History of the Morton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morton research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1087, 1420, 1486, 1487, 1493, 1500, 1564, 1616, 1626, 1627, 1637, 1641, 1645, 1659, 1661, 1662, 1682, 1685, 1698, 1699, 1705, 1715, 1716, 1721 and 1889 are included under the topic Early Morton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Morton, Moreton, Moretone, Morten, Mortyn and others.

Early Notables of the Morton family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • John Morton (c.1420-1500), English prelate, statesman, and Archbishop of Canterbury (1486-1500)
  • Thomas Morton (1564-1659), an English churchman, bishop of several dioceses and favored by King James
  • Richard Morton (1637-1698), an English physician who was the first to state that tubercles were always present in the tuberculosis disease of the lungs
  • Captain Nathaniel Morton (1616-1685), Secretary of Plymouth Colony (1645-1685), first to publish a list of signers of the Mayflower Compact and an account of the first Thanksgiving

Morton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Morton is the 462nd most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Morton is ranked the 626th most popular surname with an estimated 8,262 people with that name. 9 And in Australia, the name Morton is the 309th popular surname with an estimated 11,531 people with that name. 10 New Zealand ranks Morton as 334th with 1,885 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Morton as 262nd with 22,920 people. 12

Ireland Migration of the Morton family to Ireland

Some of the Morton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Morton migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ralph Morton, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1607 13
  • William Morton, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Margaret & John" 13
  • Thomas Morton, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 aboard the "Fortune" 13
  • Thomas Morton, Jr., who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne", settled in New England 1625. 13
  • Mr. Nathanial Morton, (c. 1616 - 1685), who arrived in Plymouth, Mass aboard the ship "Anne", he was Plymouth's secretary for Governor William Bradford 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Morton, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 13
  • Lawrance Morton, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1708 13
  • Mathias Morton, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1712 13
  • Robert Morton, who arrived in America in 1730 13
  • James Morton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Morton, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 13
  • Eliza Morton, aged 24, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1820-1873 13
  • Dever Morton, who landed in Norfolk, Va in 1820 13
  • Alexander Morton, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 13
  • Andrew Morton, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Morton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Elisa Morton, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Morton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. John Morton U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 51 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 15
  • Mr. William Morton U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 219 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 15
  • Mr. Alexander Morton U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Morton, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Daniel Morton, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Patrick Morton, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Samuel Morton, who arrived in Canada in 1836
  • Silas Morton, who arrived in Canada in 1836
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Morton migration to Australia +

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

Morton Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Morton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Morton, English convict who was convicted in Sandgate, Folkestone, England for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Thomas Morton, English convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Thomas Morton, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • George Morton, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 20
  • Robert Morton, a tailor, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Morton 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:

Morton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. David Morton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th August 1856 21
  • Mrs. Mary Morton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th August 1856 21
  • Miss Mary Morton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th August 1856 21
  • Mr. George Morton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th August 1856 21
  • Mr. Daniel Morton, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Morton 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. 22
Morton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Henry Morton, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 23
  • Mr. Rowland Morton, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24
  • Mr. John Morton, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24

Contemporary Notables of the name Morton (post 1700) +

  • P.J. Morton (b. 1981), born as Paul Morton Jr., an American Grammy winning musician, singer, songwriter and record producer
  • Harry Morton (1981-2019), American restaurateur, founder of the restaurant chain Pink Taco
  • Newton Ennis Morton (1929-2018), American population geneticist from Camden, New Jersey, one of the founders of the field of genetic epidemiology
  • Harry Robert "Bob" Morton (1934-2015), American politician, Washington State Senator from Washington's 7th Legislative District (1994-2013)
  • Larry Craig Morton (b. 1943), American former professional NFL football quarterback, into the College Football Hall of Fame
  • William Thomas Green Morton (1819-1868), American dentist who first publicly demonstrated the use of ether as a surgical anesthetic in 1846
  • Charles Hazen "Charlie" Morton (1854-1921), American Major League Baseball outfielder, manager, and League executive
  • Charles "Charlie" Alfred Morton (b. 1983), American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Conrad Vernon Morton (1905-1972), American botanist
  • Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (1890-1941), born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, American jazz composer
  • ... (Another 111 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Ruth Jane Morton (1888-1914), née Spruston Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. Lowther Morton (1887-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
  • Miss Jane Morton (d. 1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
  • Miss Kathleen Morton (d. 1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. W Morton, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Frederick Charles Morton (b. 1906), "Freddie" English Petty Officer from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Morton, British Leading Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Henry Canova Vollam Morton (b. 1892), English Journalist from England, who sailed on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) prior to its sinking 26
North Sea Flood
  • Thomas Morton, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
Prince of Wales colliery
  • Mr. Samuel Morton (b. 1838), 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 27
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Leslie Noel Morton, English Able-Bodied Seaman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping in a collapsible 28
  • Mr. John Clifford Morton, English Able-Bodied Seaman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 28
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. 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)
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. 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
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  23. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  27. 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
  28. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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