Morsebey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Morsebey is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in the settlement of Moreby in the East Riding of Yorkshire, or in the place named Moorby in Lincolnshire. The surname Morsebey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Morsebey family

The surname Morsebey was first found in East Riding of Yorkshire at Moreby with Stillingfleet, a township, in the parish of Stillingfleet, wapentake of Ouse and Derwent. The hamlet of Moreby has remained quite small over the years having a population of only 56 in the late 1800s. Moreby Hall, is a magnificent mansion in the Elizabethan style, is seated in a fine lawn on the east bank of the Ouse, and surrounded with trees of gigantic growth. 1 "The church [of Stillingfleet] is an ancient structure with some portions in the Norman style, and attached to it is a chapel containing a cross-legged figure in armour, of one of the family of Moreby." 1

Early History of the Morsebey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morsebey research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1367, 1379, 1401 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Morsebey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morsebey Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Morsebey were recorded, including Moorby, Mooreby, Moreby, Morbey, Morby, Moorbey and others.

Early Notables of the Morsebey family

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

Migration of the Morsebey family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Morsebey family emigrate to North America: Stephen Morby, who settled in Maryland in 1669; Richard Moorby, who came to Virginia in 1724; Samuel Moorby, who was on record in the census of Ontario, Canada in 1871.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.