Show ContentsMorro History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Morro

What does the name Morro mean?

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Morro is Mac Murchadha.

Early Origins of the Morro family

The surname Morro was first found in Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Diarmait Mac Murchada, (c. 1110-1171), Anglicized Dermot MacMurrough, Dermod MacMurrough, Dermot MacMorrogh or Dermot MacMorrow, was a King of Leinster in Ireland. He was son of Donnchad mac Murchada, King of Leinster and Dublin.

Early History of the Morro family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morro research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Morro History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morro Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Morro are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include McMorough, McMorogh, McMorrough, McMurrer and others.

Early Notables of the Morro family

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


Morro migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Morro or a variant listed above:

Morro Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Aug. Morro, aged 23, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "J. E. Grosse" in 1852 1
  • Antonio Morro, aged 16, settler from New Grendada who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Sierra Nevada" in 1852 1
  • Margaret Morro, aged 20, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Great Western" in 1860 1
  • Cath Morro, aged 18, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Great Western" in 1862 1
  • Marie Morro, aged 22, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Barussia" in 1866 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Morro (post 1700) +

  • Anthony Morro, American composer, known for Hill Hive (2016), In-Lawfully Yours and Drift: Cannon Fire (2021)
  • Carolina Morro, American actress, known for In Family I Trust (2019), Com si fos ahir (2017) and Darkcode (2021)
  • Maxwell Morro, American director and producer, known for Horntak, Drift: Over the Edge (2021) and Chivalry's Farewell: Life and Death on the Western Front (2022)
  • Antoni Morro, Italian researcher at the Universitat de les Illes Balears
  • Roberto Morro, Italian researcher in Transport Engineering & Innovation
  • Sebastián Morro, Spanish actor, known for El Manijazo: Cocinero (2017)
  • Okezie Morro, English actor, born in Watford, England, known for his work on The Mist (2017- )


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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