Morrissy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Irish name Morrissy has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Morrissy is Ó Muirgheasa, which is derived from the words muir, meaning sea, and geas, meaning action.
Early Origins of the Morrissy family
The surname Morrissy was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland.
Early History of the Morrissy family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morrissy research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Morrissy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Morrissy Spelling Variations
The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Morrissy revealed spelling variations, including Morrissey, O'Morrissey and others.
Early Notables of the Morrissy family
More information is included under the topic Early Morrissy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Morrissy migration to the United States +
A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Morrissy name:
Morrissy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Honora Morrissy, aged 13, who arrived in New York in 1854 1
- John Morrissy, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1854 1
- Patrick Morrissy, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1854 1
Morrissy migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Morrissy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- Thomas Morrissy, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1822
- Richard Morrissy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1825
- Judith Dwyer Morrissy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1832
- Maurice Morrissy, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Maria" from Cork, Ireland
- Dennis Morrissy, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Maria" from Cork, Ireland
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morrissy migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Morrissy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Mr. Thomas Morrissy, (Morrissey), (b. 1798), aged 40, Irish labourer who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 15 years for , transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
- Martin Morrissy, aged 37, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 3
- John Morrissy, aged 38, a gardener, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 4
- Ann Morrissy, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sultana" 5
- Michael Morrissy, aged 39, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Hyderabad" 6
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Morrissy (post 1700) +
- Anne Morrissy Merick (1933-2017), American war correspondent and journalist; she was instrumental in having the Pentagon reverse an order preventing women from covering combat in the Vietnam War
The Morrissy Motto +
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: Si Deus nobiscum qui contra nos
Motto Translation: If God be with us, who can be against us.
Citations +
- 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)
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
- South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STANDARD 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1852.shtml
- South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EPAMINONDAS 1852. Retrieved www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1852.shtml
- South Australian Register Saturday 4th February 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sultana 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sultana1854.shtml
- South Australian Register Wednesday 15th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Hyderabad 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/hyderabad1854.shtml