Morris Family Crest and Name History

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Morris PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname Morris

Morris

Contents

Morris history with Morris Family Crest
Suggested Readings for Morris
Surname Notables

About Family Crests

Morris Products

Origins Available: Irish, Welsh

Where did the Welsh Morris family come from? What is the Welsh coat of arms/family crest? When did the Morris family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

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.

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. In the early Middle Ages, the general population was almost entirely illiterate and literary languages had inconsistent rules regarding spelling. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Morris name over the years has been spelled Morris, Morriss, Moriss, Morrice, Morice, Moris and others.

First found in Herefordshire, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Morris: Patrick Morris who settled in Philadelphia in 1852; George Morris settled in Virginia in 1774; Humphrey Morris settled in Barbados in 1635; Jenkin Morris settled in Virginia in 1635.

For more information on the last name Morris, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

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.

Some noteworthy people of the name Morris

Charles Morris (1784-1856), American naval administrator and officer
Greg Morris (1934-1996), American television actor
Norval Morris (1923-2004), American (New Zealand-born) criminologist and lawyer, dean of University of Chicago Law School from 1975-1979
Lewis Morris (1726-1798), American landowner and developer, signer of Declaration of Independence
Robert Morris (1734-1806), American financier and statesman
Warren Morris (b. 1974), American baseball player most remembered for his 9th inning walk-off home run that won the 1996 College World Series
Alvin Morris (b. 1913), original name of Tony Martin the American actor and singer
George Pope Morris (1802-1864), American editor, poet, and songwriter
Mark Morris (b. 1956), American dancer and choreographer
Sir Lewis Morris (1833-1907), Welsh poet knighted by Queen Victoria in 1895
Michael Morris MBE, TD (1914-1999), Irish journalist, author, and sports official, President of the International Olympic Committee 1972-1980
Desmond John Morris (b. 1928), British author, ethnologist, and zoologist
Edward Patrick Morris (1858-1935), 1st Baron Morris, Canadian, Newfoundland jurist and politician, who was the Premier of Newfoundland from 1909 to 1919
William Richard Morris (1877-1963), 1st Viscount Nuffield, British businessman, automobile manufacturer, and philanthropist
William Morris (1834-1896), English poet
Arthur Robert Morris (b. 1922), Australian cricket player
Thomas "Old Tom" Morris (1821-1908), Scottish golfer
Thomas "Young Tom" Morris (1851-1875), Scottish golfer

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the Morris family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements

In the Morris coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the Morris genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Morris Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name Morris.

Apparel

Apparel with a Morris coat of arms.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name Morris.

Ceramics

Ceramics revealing the Morris family crest.

Clip art

Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name Morris.

Downloads

Downloads featuring the Morris family crest.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name Morris.

Family Tree

Family Tree showing the Morris family crest.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques displaying the Morris family crest.

Keychains

Keychains revealing the family crest for the surname Morris.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads displaying the family crest for the name Morris.

New Products

New Products proudly displaying the Morris coat of arms.

Packages

Packages displaying the family crest for the name Morris.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames emphasing the Morris family crest.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name Morris.

Symbolism

Symbolism with the coat of arms for the name Morris.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs showing the Morris family crest.

Popular Products
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The Morris Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Morris Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.