Show ContentsMcMoran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of McMoran

What does the name McMoran mean?

The Scottish and Irish name McMoran is derived from the "Old Gaelic mugh-ron 'seal's slave'" The progenitor of the name is thought to have been "Mugron, comharb of Columcille in Ireland and Scotland, who died in 979. 1

Early Origins of the McMoran family

The surname McMoran was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland where some of the first records of the family include: John McMoryne, who witnessed a charter by Robert de Graham of lands in Kyle to Melrose Abbey, c. 1344; and Alan McMoryn, who witnessed the resignation by Sir David de Wemyss of certain lands in 1373. 1

Early History of the McMoran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMoran research. Another 346 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1381, 1394, 1395, 1408, 1466, 1495, 1529, 1565, 1575, 1576, 1592, 1595, 1627, 1636, 1667, 1684, 1696, 1758, 1780 and 1794 are included under the topic Early McMoran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMoran Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacMorran, MacMoran, MacMurrin, MacMorrion, MacMorane and many more.

Early Notables of the McMoran family

John MacMorran (d. 1595), Scottish merchant and Baillie of Edinburgh who was killed by rioting school children who were disputing the length of their holidays. John MacMorran was a merchant involved in shipping, with shares in nine ships worth over...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMoran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McMoran migration to the United States+



McMoran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jane McMoran, who settled in South Carolina with her husband and children in 1823

Contemporary Notables of the name McMoran (post 1700)+

  • Charles McMoran Wilson (1882-1977), 1st Baron Moran, most famous for being Sir Winston Churchill's personal physician, saving his life in 1943


The McMoran 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: Virtus virtutis praemium
Motto Translation: Virtue is its own reward.


  1. 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)


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