Surname Morrill - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Roots of Morrill: A Revealing DNA Journey with iGENEA

After receiving my DNA analysis results from iGENEA, I embarked on an enlightening journey, unraveling the intriguing history of my familial roots and the Morrill surname. Originating from the British Isles, the Morrill name conceals ancient narratives of Viking connections, Norman conquests and migratory patterns.

I. Morrill

Morrill: What does the surname Morrill mean?

The surname Morrill is of English origin and has historical roots dating back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is a habitation name derived from several places in West Yorkshire named Morley or from Morley in Cheshire or Derbyshire, which are named with Old English "mor" meaning "marsh, moor" and "leah" meaning "wood, clearing". This habitational name means that the initial bearer of the surname lived in or near such a locality or had significantly associated with such a place. In some cases, it may be derived from the trade or profession, coming from the Old French "morel", meaning dark or brown, and referring to someone with dark skin or hair. Like many surnames, over the centuries, its exact meaning may have evolved or slightly changed based on regional interpretations and linguistic adaptations.

Morrill: Where does the name Morrill come from?

The last name Morrill is most commonly found in the United States, but is also found in parts of Canada and to a lesser extent, other parts of the world, such as Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Morrill tends to be in the Northeast and Midwest regions. In particular, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire have the highest numbers of people with the last name Morrill, with other states such as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois having significant numbers as well. Additionally, in some western states, particularly Idaho, Utah, and Colorado, the last name Morrill is also common.

In terms of its historic roots, the surname Morrill can be traced to multiple different countries of origin. The earliest documented origins go back to the Old French language and Anglo-Saxon roots, with the name most likely derived from a place called Morville, located in France. There are also records of Morrill surnames appearing in the United States in the mid-19th century, indicating that the name likely spread to the U.S. from other areas, such as the British Isles and France.

Today, the last name Morrill remains fairly common in the United States. Its roots in various parts of the world and the United States have helped to shape an interesting family history for modern-day Morrills.

Variations of the surname Morrill

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Morrill are Merrell, Merril, Murrell and Murril.

The ultimate origin of these variants is the same Anglo-Saxon given name Maurice, or Mauricius, meaning “dark-skinned” and “swarthy.” The Latin form of the name was adopted into the early English language as “Morrice,” which then evolved into the slightly modified spelling of “Morrey,” “Morris,” and ultimately “Morrel.”

The spelling of Merrell (or Merril) is often found in the ancient Domesday Book, a census that was taken of England by William the Conqueror in 1086. From there, the spelling slowly transformed into Murrell (or Murril).

The Morrill spelling was first recorded in 1226, when one Robert de Morill was in Assize Court in Lincolnshire, England.

Over time with the wave of immigration to America starting in the early 17th century, Morrill, Merrell, Merril, Murrell and Murril families spread out throughout the New World.

Today there are countless descendants of Maurice around the world, boasting all of the various spelling variations as part of their unique heritage.

Famous people with the name Morrill

• Stephen Morrill: American college professor and Director of High Performance Computing at the Dartmouth Institute for Security, Technology, and Society
• Jared Morrill: Canadian actor, writer, and producer of stage and film
• Nikki Morrill: American author and LGBTQ activist
• Dudley Morrill: American physician and academic
• Henry Morrill: American banker and former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• Charles Morrill: American architect from Washington D.C.
• Meghan Morrill: Canadian nationally-recognized entrepreneur
• Warren Morrill: American portrait painter, etcher, and printmaker
• Joan Morril: English actress
• Billy Morrill: American singer-songwriter and musician

Other surnames

MorrisMorriseyMorrisonMorrisseyMorrissyMorrisy