Morrin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Morrin name:

Morrin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Dan Morrin, who landed in Virginia in 1653 1

Morrin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Nathaniel Morrin, aged 30, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1734 1
• John Morrin, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1745 1

Morrin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Morrin, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1858 1
• Peter Morrin, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 1
• Isaac Morrin, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1868 1
• James Morrin, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1873 1

Morrin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Morrin, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2

Morrin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Morrin, (b. 1840), aged 22, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Edward Thornhill" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand in 1862 3
• Mrs. Jane Morrin, (b. 1841), aged 21, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Edward Thornhill" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand in 1862 3

• Thomas H. Morrin, American engineer and the director of engineering at SRI International from 1948 to 1963
• Wayne Morrin (b. 1955), Canadian retired professional WHA ice hockey player
• Brad Morrin (b. 1981), Australian professional rugby league footballer
• Joseph Morrin (1794-1862), Scottish-born, Canadian physician and politician, two-time mayor of Quebec city who bequeathed money and property to what would become Morrin College and later Morrin Centre