Morran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Many Irish surnames come from the Gaelic language native to Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name Morran is Ó Morain or Ó Moghrain, and is most likely derived from the word "mor" which means "big."

Early Origins of the Morran family

The surname Morran was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht.

Early History of the Morran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morran research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Morran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morran Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Morran family name include Moran, O'Moran, Murrin, Murran and others.

Early Notables of the Morran family

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

Morran migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Morran:

Morran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Morran, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1
George Morran, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1847 1

Morran migration to Australia +

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

Morran Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Johanna Morran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Britannia" in 1846 2
Margaretta Morran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Britannia" in 1846 2
Mary Morran, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Britannia" in 1846 2
Margaretta Morran a domestic servant, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Britannia" in 1846 2
Mary Morran a domestic servant, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Britannia" in 1846 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morran 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:

Morran Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J. Morran, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888

Contemporary Notables of the name Morran (post 1700) +

Michael Morran (d. 2007), Scottish trainer for Glenafton Athletic, a Scottish football club, he 35 years of service were rewarded by a stand in his dedication which is named the "Mick Morran Stand"

The Morran 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: Lucent in tenebris
Motto Translation: They shine in darkness.

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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BRITANNIA 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Britannia.htm