Morehouse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England

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The name Morehouse reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Morehouse family lived in Lancashire. The name Morehouse was a local name meaning the dweller at the house on the moor. It derives from the Old English elements mor, meaning marsh or fen, and hus, meaning house.

Early Origins of the Morehouse family

The surname Morehouse was first found in Lancashire where conjecturally they were descended from Roger de Poictou, a Norman Baron who was granted lands in southern Lancashire by Duke William of Normandy, his liege lord, for his noble assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Morehouse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morehouse research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1300 and 1330 are included under the topic Early Morehouse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morehouse Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Morehouse family name include Moorhouse, Moorehouse, Morehouse, Morhouse and many more.

Early Notables of the Morehouse family

More information is included under the topic Early Morehouse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morehouse Ranking

In the United States, the name Morehouse is the 5,395^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Morehouse migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Morehouse family to immigrate North America:

Morehouse Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Morehouse, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 2
Lavina Morehouse, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 2
William P. M. Morehouse, who arrived in California in 1852
Mrs Morehouse, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
A.A. Morehouse, aged 23, who landed in America from Londonderry, in 1894

Morehouse Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Clifton J. Morehouse, aged 47, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1906
Max Morehouse, who landed in America, in 1908
Lila Morehouse, aged 22, who landed in America, in 1919
Byron Morehouse, aged 46, who settled in America, in 1919
Charlotte Joan Morehouse, aged 2, who landed in America from Southend, England, in 1920
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morehouse migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morehouse Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Daniel Morehouse U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 3
Mr. James Morehouse U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 3
Mr. John Morehouse U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 3
Mr. Jonathon Morehouse U.E. who settled in Gullivers Cove, Digby County, Nova Scotia c. 1784 3
Mr. Noah Morehouse U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 3

Morehouse migration to Australia +

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

Morehouse Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Sarah Morehouse, (b. 1841), aged 14, Cornish domestic servant departing from Soton on 17th October 1854 aboard the ship "British Empire" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 15th January 1855 4

Morehouse 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:

Morehouse Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William H. Morehouse, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Albert William" in 1864

Contemporary Notables of the name Morehouse (post 1700) +

Bonnie Morehouse, Acting United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 2001
Albert Pickett Morehouse (1835-1891), American politician, 26th Governor of Missouri from 1887 to 1889
William "Bill" Morehouse (b. 1960), American curler, curling broadcaster, semifinalist in the 2000 Mixed National Championships
David Morehouse (b. 1960), American President of Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL)
Ward Morehouse (1899-1967), American theater critic and newspaper columnist
Tim Morehouse (b. 1978), American Olympic silver medalist fencer