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![Show Contents]() Morel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Morel is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the medieval given name Morel. The name was originally derived from the name More or Moore a nickname for a someone of dark complexion. This name stems from the Old French word Moor, meaning black man. 1 Early Origins of the Morel familyThe surname Morel was first found in Northumberland where one of the first records of the name was found at North Middleton, a township, in the parish of Hartburn. "This place, which was also called MiddletonMorell, from an ancient proprietor named Morell, was afterwards divided among various proprietors." 2 "John Morel was seated in Norfolk in 1086 (Domesday) and another - if not the same Morel, occurs in Northumberland nine years afterwards. " 3 Later the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included listings for Herveus Morel, Norfolk; Nicholas Morel, Norfolk; and Thomas Morel, Huntingdonshire. Morel (without surname), Cambridgeshire was also listed. 4 One source notes that Yorkshire proved to be an ancient homestead of the family. "The West Riding [of Yorkshire] is now the principal home of the Morrells, but they are also to be found in the other divisions of the county. In the 13th century they were represented by the Morels in Norfolk, Hunts, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire." 5 In Scotland, "Symon Morellus witnessed gift of the church of Molle to the Abbey of Kelso, c. 1190." 6 We include this interesting passage about one on the family from Wallis' Anitquities of Northumberland: "In the year 1095, Robert Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland, and his party, marched into Bamborough Castle for security, on the approach of the royal troops to chastise them for their treason. The King, William Rufus, besieged it in person. As traitors never think themselves safe anywhere, Mowbray secretly fled for sanctuary to St. Oswin's shrine at Tynemouth, where he was taken prisoner. His steward and kinsman, Morel, with a courage that would have done honour to a better cause, defended the Castle in the absence of his unfortunate lord. He defended it against all the forces of the King. The King had turned the siege into a blockade, and raised a fortress near it called Malvoisin, i.e. Bad Neighbour, some time before the Earl fled. Morel, not terrified by so many bad neighbours, still held out, with an astonishing perseverance and resolution, to the surprise of the King, who, beginning to be uneasy, tried to effect that by policy, which he could not do by force. He ordered the Earl to be led up to the very walls, and a declaration to be made, that if the Castle did not surrender, his eyes should be instantly put out. This succeeded to his wish. Morel no sooner beheld him in this imminent danger, than he consented to yield upon terms. For his fidelity and affection to his lord, and his gallant defence, the King took him into his Royal protection and favour. A god-like action, thus generously to reward a faithful enemy." While no exact date was given for this passage, we do know that "another John Morel (no doubt his descendant) held a fief in Northumberland in 1165." 3 Early History of the Morel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morel research. Another 229 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1317, 1620, 1697, 1704, 1788, 1795, 1839 and 1880 are included under the topic Early Morel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Morel Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Morel include Morrell, Morel, Morrel, Morrall, Morrill, Murrill and others. Early Notables of the Morel familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Mary Morrill (Morrel/Morrills/Morill) (c. 1620-1704), birth name of Mary Folger, English-born indentured servant in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, grandmother of Benjamin Franklin; Benjamin Morrell (1795-1839), American sealing...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Morel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Morel World RankingIn the United States, the name Morel is the 5,483rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Morel is ranked the 477th most popular surname. 8 And in France, the name Morel is the 21st popular surname with an estimated 56,760 people with that name. 9
 Morel migration to the United States | + |
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Morels to arrive on North American shores:
Morel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Elizabet Morel, who landed in Virginia in 1700 10
- Peter Morel settled with his wife and 4 children in Georgia in 1733
- Peter Rodolf Morel, who settled in Georgia in 1733 with his wife Martine, son Anthony and daughter Mariane
- Mathieu Morel, who settled in Philadelphia with his wife Jeanne Marie Ozias, son Jean Pierre, aged 9, daughters Madel, aged 4 and Lucresse, aged 2, in 1751
- Matthieu Morel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 10
Morel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Jose Ramon Morel, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1804 10
- Anthony Morel, aged 50, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1829 10
- Catalina Morel, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1854 10
- Jacob Morel, aged 32, who arrived in New York, NY in 1854 10
- Alexander Morel, who arrived in New York, NY in 1882 10
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Morel migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Morel Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century- Olivier Morel, son of Thomas and Alliette, who married Françoise Duquet, daughter of Denis and Catherine, in Quebec on 14th September 1670 11
- Etienne Morel, son of Vincent and Marguerite, who married Catherine Patou, daughter of Abel and Marie, in Quebec on 9th January 1673 11
- Guillaume Morel, son of Guillaume and Jeanne, who married Marie Barette, daughter of Jean and Jeanne, in Sainte-Anne, Quebec on 24th July 1690 11
- François Morel, son of Michel and Marie, who married Marie Moisan, daughter of Nicolas and Jeanne, in Montreal, Quebec on 5th November 1696 11
Morel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Charles-Joseph Morel, son of André and Marie-Josephte, who married Catherine Lévesque, daughter of Joseph and Geneviève, in Rivière-Ouelle, Quebec on 3rd March 1703 11
- Joseph-François Morel, son of Pierre and Marie-Jeanne, who married Marie-Anne Bourg, daughter of Antoine and Marie-Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 8th November 1717 11
- Michel Morel, son of Louis-Joseph and Elisabeth, who married Marguerite Hubert, daughter of Louis and Madeleine, in La Prairie, Quebec on 4th October 1718 11
- Jean Morel, son of Guillaume and Marie-Madeleine, who married Marguerite Gariépy, daughter of Charles and Marie-Anne, in Château-Richer, Quebec on 21st February 1718 11
- Charles-Alexandre Morel, son of Louis-Joseph and Elisabeth, who married Marie Couillard, daughter of Charles-Thomas and Louise, in Beaumont, Quebec on 21st February 1724 11
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Morel (post 1700) | + |
- Richard Morel, American singer, songwriter, remixer and record producer
- Captain Brent Morel (1976-2004), USMC Navy Cross Award recipient
- Bernard Morel (1925-2023), French fencer, he won a bronze medal in 1952 Summer Olympics
- Bernard Morel (1946-2021), French economist and politician, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Provence
- François Morel (1926-2018), Canadian composer, pianist, conductor, and music educator, Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 1994 and was awarded the Prix Denise-Pelletier in 1996
- Juan Morel (1857-1896), Puerto Rican composer
- Jorge Morel (b. 1931), Argentine classical guitarist and composer
- Léonard Morel (1820-1888), French goldsmith and sculptor
- Marie-Rose Morel (b. 1972), Belgian politician
- Pierre Morel (b. 1964), French cinematographer and film director
- ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Historic Events for the Morel family | + |
- Mr. Jason Michael Morel (d. 1912), aged 82, American Third Class passenger from Unknown who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 12
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: Bono animo esto
Motto Translation: Be of Good Courage
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
- http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
- 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)
- Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
- Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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Morel migration to the United States 
Morel migration to Canada 
England
France
Scotland
