Show ContentsMorrison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Morrison

What does the name Morrison mean?

The Morrison family name was first used in ancient Scotland by people descended from Viking settlers. It is derived from the Gaelic MacGhillie Mhoire, meaning "son of the servant of St. Mary."

Early Origins of the Morrison family

The surname Morrison was first found in on the Isle of Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Morrison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morrison research. Another 263 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1164, 1600, 1890, 1893, 1950 and 1961 are included under the topic Early Morrison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morrison Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Morrison, Morison, Morieson and many more.

Early Notables of the Morrison family

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

Morrison World Ranking

In the United States, the name Morrison is the 221st most popular surname with an estimated 119,376 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Morrison is ranked the 94th most popular surname with an estimated 28,707 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Morrison is the 130th popular surname with an estimated 20,913 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Morrison as 114th with 3,850 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Morrison as 144th with 35,458 people. 5

Migration of the Morrison family to Ireland

Some of the Morrison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Morrison migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morrison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Morrison, aged 12, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Planter" 6
  • Henry Morrison, who landed in Virginia in 1648 7
  • Francis Morrison, who settled in Virginia in 1650
  • Donald Morrison, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 7
Morrison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hannah Morrison, who landed in North Carolina in 1701 7
  • Jane Morrison, who landed in New England in 1738 7
  • Charles Morrison, who landed in Virginia in 1760 7
  • Darby Morrison, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 7
  • Daniel Morrison who settled in Boston in 1767
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morrison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Benjamin Morrison, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1804 7
  • Daniel Morrison, aged 33, who arrived in New York in 1804 7
  • John Morrison, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1807 7
  • Martha Morrison, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 7
  • Elizabeth Morrison, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morrison Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Henry Morrison, (b. 1881), aged 19, Cornish journalist travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA 8
  • Mr. George F. Morrison, (b. 1877), aged 24, Cornish coachman, from Falmouth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th June 1901 en route to Michigan, USA 8

Morrison migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Morrison Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Morrison, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1764 9
  • George Morrison, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
  • Mr. Alexander Morrison U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 10
  • Mr. David Morrison U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 10
  • Mr. David Morrison U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Morrison Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Archibald Morrison, aged 28, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • Andrew Morrison, was a magistrate of Ferryland, Newfoundland in 1816 9
  • James Morrison from Edinburgh settled in Ferryland, Newfoundland and died there in 1832 9
  • William Morrison, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Catherine Morrison, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ambassador" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morrison migration to Australia +

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

Morrison Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Morrison, (b. 1773), aged 20, Irish seaman who was convicted in County Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Morrison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Alexander Morrison, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
  • Mr. John Morrison, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • William Morrison, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Thomas Morrison, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 15
  • John Morrison, English convict from Durham, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Morrison 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:

Morrison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Arthur Morrison, aged 23, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Agnes Morrison, aged 23, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Hugh Morrison, aged 50, a shepherd, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Anne Morrison, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Hugh Morrison, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Morrison (post 1700) +

  • Marion Robert Morrison (1907-1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed Duke, an American actor, director, and producer, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Toni Chloe Anthony Morrison (1931-2019), American author and one of the most prominent authors in world literature, having won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 for her novel "Beloved" and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 for her collected works, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • George Ivan "Van" Morrison OBE (b. 1945), Northern Irish rock singer, winner of six Grammy Awards, inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • Angus Morrison (1934-2023), American politician, Mayor of Fremont, California, 1985-89, 1994-2004, 2012; Defeated, 1980, 1989, 2008 17
  • Daniel Guthrie "Dan" Morrison (1948-2023), American professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1979 to 1999, and throughout both major leagues in 2000 and 2001
  • Barbara Morrison (1949-2022), American jazz singer, born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, who worked with Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Dr. John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard and many more
  • deLesseps Story Morrison (1912-1964), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Louisiana State House of Representatives, 1941; Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, 1946-61 17
  • Shelley Morrison (1936-2019), born Rachel Mitrani, American theater and television actress, best known for her role as maid Rosario Salazar in the NBC comedy television series Will & Grace
  • Tommy David Morrison (1969-2013), American heavyweight boxer and a former World Boxing Organization champion
  • Dan "Danny" Morrison (b. 1974), American wrestler
  • ... (Another 204 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Miss Katrina Mary June Morrison (1959-1979), New Zealander Stewardess, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 18
Hillcrest Coal Mine
  • Mr. Alexander Morrison (1878-1914), Scottish Miner from Wilsontown, Lanark, Scotland, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 19
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. H N  Morrison, British Signalman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. W Morrison, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21
HMS Royal Oak
  • Joseph Morrison (d. 1939), British Sergeant with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
  • James Morrison (1922-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
Ibrox disaster
  • Richard Douglas Morrison (1956-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Fife who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 23
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Kenneth John Morrison, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 24
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Earl Leroy Morrison, American Seaman First Class from Montana, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25
Vimy Ridge
  • Albert Morrison (1888-1917), Canadian farmer, Lance Corporal in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge June 1917


The Morrison 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: Sunt tria haec unum
Motto Translation: These three things are one


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  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
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  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  15. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
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