Show ContentsMorle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Morle family

The surname Morle was first found in Yorkshire. This ancient Norman family assumed their surname from the town and lordship of Maule, in the Vexin Francois, eight leagues from Paris. Guarin de Maule, the young son of Ansold, Lord of Maule accompanied William the Conqueror to England and acquired the Lordship of Hatton, county York for his efforts. 1

His son, Robert de Maule aligned himself with David, Earl of Huntingdon, later known as David II., and moved to Scotland with the monarch and there obtained vast lands in Lothian where his family held a family seat. 2

"William, son of Robert, took part in the battle of the Standard, 1138, an obtained the lands of Easter Fowlis in Perthshire. He witnessed c. 1141 confirmation of a charter by Earl Henry to the church of S. Mary of Haddington of the lands of Clerchetune, now Clerkington. He also had grants of tofts in Selkirk and Clackmannan from Malcolm IV. By the marriage of Peter de Maule with Christina de Valoniis before 1215 he acquired the large baronies of Panmure ard Bervie. Sir William de Maul swore fealty to Edward I at St. Andrews, 1291." 3

Early History of the Morle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morle research. Another 418 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1361, 1407, 1411, 1437, 1600, 1646, 1715, 1723, 1743, 1756 and 1764 are included under the topic Early Morle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Maule, Maull, Maul and others.

Early Notables of the Morle family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Morle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Morle family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Christopher Maul settled in New York in 1709; John George Maul settled in Philadelphia in 1754; Thomas Maul settled in New England in 1617; Casper Maule settled in Philadelphia in 1753..



The Morle 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: Clementia tecte rigore
Motto Translation: Clemency concealed under rigour.


  1. 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
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. 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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