The etymology of the surname Morrison is either Anglo-Norman, commonly found throughout Scotland, Ireland and England, or from an Anglicization of Irish Ó Muirgheasáin.
History
Morrison in England is traditionally believed to be a patronymic of Maurice/Morris,See George F Black (1946), p. 612. introduced into England following the Norman invasion in 1066.
In Scotland there is strong evidence that other surnames of Anglo Norman origin such as Moir, Muir and More, were equally influential as potential multiple origin points for the derivative of the modern spelling of Morrison. This is supported by evidence including the association of Moor or Saracen head(s) on some Moor, Moore, More, Mores, Morrison, Mure and Muir family crests.James Fairbairn (1905), pp. 396–403.Alexander Moir (1913). While the Highland Clan Morrison derives from Mac Ghille Mhoire, or servants of Mary, the lowland Clan Morrison Society of Scotland, registered their arms featuring three Moor heads in 1919, demonstrating the symbolic similarity between all these families.
Historical evidence suggests many early surnames in Scotland were nuanced and altered by such simple devices as phonetic interpretations by religious scribes. For example, Scottish records identify a marriage in 1584 between George Morese and Babara Forguson in Aberdeen.Scotlands People, Church Registers - Old Parish Registers Banns and Marriages, FR3914, 120 202, Aberdeen. Later in other Aberdeen records their names become George Moreson and Barbara Ferguson,Lord Provosts of Aberdeen (Munro, 1897, pp. 165–167) then George Morrison and Barbara Ferguson.The Records of Aboyne (Huntly, 1894, p. 276) Similar Morrison name evolutions are recorded in Edinburgh at this time. Those from the Clan Morrison may originally have been anglicised to Morison, with Morrison becoming more widely used later on.
Another form of name changing came through rebranding of surnames. This occurred in Scotland for both convenience or necessity to disguise a Scottish Highland name, for example, McCoinnich describes the adoption of the name Morrison on the Isle of Lewis (Eilean Leòdhais) around 1640 by families formerly known as "McBrief" or "mac a’ Bhritheimh".For example, see Aonghas McCoinnich (2015) who describes the adoption of the name Morrison on the Isle of Lewis around 1640 by families formerly known as "McBrief" or "mac a’ Bhritheimh", pp 64-65. Alexander Morison (Heraldry of the Clan MacGhille-mhuire) makes the statement that the name is from ancestors who were vassals or adherents of the jarls of More or Moeri in Norway.Black (1946) makes the observation that "Equally baseless is the modern idea that "Morison" interpreted as "Mary’s son," represents Gaelic Mac Gille Mhuire". Alexander Morison (Heraldry of the Clan MacGhille-mhuire) makes the wild statement that the name is from ancestors who were vassals or adherents of the jarls of More or Moeri in Norway! (Black, 1946, p 639).
Perhaps the earliest recording of the recognisable surname Morrison is found in the English Yorkshire Poll Tax records in 1379 for "Ricardus Morisson”.see Nelson, P and Hinson, C. (2001) English Yorkshire Poll Tax records in 1379 for "Ricardus Morisson". Some fifty years later in Scotland there is a Morrison recorded as "Arthuro Morison domino de Darleith" being a witness to the "Resignation by John MacRoger of Gleane MacKerne, in favour of John of Culquoune of Luss, of Gleane Mackecherne, etc. 7th February 1429".See William Fraser (1869), "Arthuro Morison domino de Darleith" being a witness to the "Resignation by John MacRoger of Gleane MacKerne, in favour of John of Culquoune of Luss, of Gleane Mackecherne, etc. 7th February 1429", p. 287. The spelling Morrison became more popular over Morisson and Morison later on.
Following the gradual introduction of surnames in England, Scotland and Ireland many names such as Mirryson, Mirrison, Morisson, Morisone, Morrieson, Morriceson, Morason, Moorison, Mooresone, Morisoun, Moresoun, Murison, Muirison, Murieson, Murrison, Muresoun, Muirsoun and no doubt many other phonetic synonyms or Anglicised adaptations evolved and were standardised to become Morrison, Morison or Murison. Such standardisation in Scotland came after 1854 when Lord Elcho (Francis Richard Chateris, 10th Earl of Weymss) finally succeeded in framing An Act to Provide for the Better Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland, 31 May 1854.Anne Cameron (2007) describes the history of this Act in detail, pp. 377–395.
Overall there is a common inconsistency in the spelling of Morrison or Morison in many records throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. There is no particular rule or convention that specifies which spelling should be used. Morrison and Morison families today are widely distributed across England, Scotland and Ireland and in many cases with no common genetic or family ancestry. Morison is typically the older spelling of ancestors of the Clan Morrison from Sutherland and the Eilean Leòdhais, with Morrison being the more commonly used now.
Notable Morrisons A. B. Morrison (1878–1967), American college sports coach Adam Morrison (born 1984), American basketball player Agnes Morrison (1867–1934), British charity fund-raiser Aileen Morrison (born 1982), Irish triathlete Alan Morrison (general) (1927–2008), Major General in the Australian Army Alan Morrison (lawyer) (born 1938), American Supreme Court litigator, co-founder of Public Citizen Alan Morrison (organist), American musician Alan Morrison (poet) (born 1974), British poet Alan Morrison (racing driver) (born 1968), British race-car driver Alasdair Morrison (banker), Scottish banker Alasdair Morrison (politician), Scottish Labour Party politician Alastair Ardoch Morrison (1911–1998), Australian graphic artist and author Alex Morrison (Canadian Forces officer) (born 1941), former lieutenant colonel of the Canadian Forces Alexander Morrison (botanist) (1849–1913), born Scotland, Australian Alexander Morrison (headmaster) (1829–1903), born Scotland, Australian headmaster of Scotch College Alexander Morrison (judge) (1927–2012), British judge Alexander Morrison (politician) (1851–1930), Canadian Member of Parliament Alexander B. Morrison (1930–2018), Canadian scientist, academic, civil servant and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Alexandra Morrison, Canadian photographer Allan Morrison (trader), Canadian-American fur trader and politician active in Minnesota Andrew Morrison (disambiguation), several persons Angelia Lawrance Morrison Harris (1912–1983), First Lady of North Carolina Angus Morrison (minister), Moderator of the Church of Scotland Angus Morrison (pianist) (1902–1989), English pianist and teacher Angus James Morrison (1900–1952), Canadian politician Arthur Morrison (1863–1945), English author and journalist Barb Morrison (born 1967), American record producer Benjamin Morrison (born 2004), American football player Blake Morrison (born 1950), British poet and author Father Brian Morrison (1933–2009) Charity worker, Priest Brendan Morrison (born 1975), Canadian hockey player Bret Morrison (1912–1978), American actor Brooke Morrison (born 1979), Australian field hockey player Bruce Morrison (born 1944), American politician Bruce Morrison (cricketer) (1933–2025), New Zealand cricketer Cameron Morrison (1869–1953), American politician Charles Morrison (cricketer) (1883–1948), West Indian cricketer Charles Clayton Morrison (1874–1966), American Disciples of Christ minister Chick Morrison (1878–1924), American silent film actor Chris Morrison (disambiguation) Clinton Morrison (born 1979), Irish footballer Connie Morrison, American politician and businesswoman Daniel Morrison (disambiguation) Dan Morrison (umpire), umpire in Major League Baseball Dan Morrison (wrestler) (born 1974), American professional wrestler Daniel Morrison, Royal New Zealand Ballet Daniel Morrison, actor who played Chris Sharpe in Degrassi: The Next Generation Danny Morrison (writer) (born 1953), Irish republican writer and activist Danny Morrison (cricketer) (born 1966), New Zealand cricketer Danny Morrison (sports executive), President of the Carolina Panthers David Morrison Dave Morrison (footballer), footballer David Morrison (Australian Army officer), Australian army officer David Morrison (astrophysicist) Dave Morrison (ice hockey) (born 1962), hockey player Dave Morrison (poet) Dave Morrison (soccer) (born 1957) American soccer player Deborah K. Morrison, American cell biologist deLesseps Story Morrison (1912–1964), Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana 1946–1961 deLesseps Morrison Jr. (1944–1996), Louisiana politician and son of deLesseps Story Morrison Des Morrison (boxer), Jamaican/British boxer of the 1970s and '80s Diana Morrison (born 1969), British actress Dorilus Morrison (1814–1898), American politician Dorothy Morrison, several people Ebony Morrison (born 1999), Liberian Olympic athlete Ella Henrietta Davidson Morrison (1851–1939), American philanthropist Ellis Morrison, American politician Emmett Morrison (1915–1993), American basketball player Frances Morrison (1807–1898), British activist Francis Moryson (before 1628 – c. 1681), Virginia colonial politician Frank Morrison (disambiguation) Fynes Moryson (1566–1630), English traveller and writer Geanie Morrison (born 1950), American politician George Morrison (disambiguation), several people, including George Morrison (artist) (1919–2000), American artist George Morrison (documentary maker) (1922–2025), Irish filmmaker George Morrison (director, acting teacher) (1928–2014), at The New Actors Workshop George Morrison (ice hockey) (1948–2008), National Hockey League player George Morrison (Northern Ireland politician), of the Vanguard Progressive Unionist Party George Morrison (British politician) Member of Parliament for Combined Scottish Universities George D. Morrison (1890–1973), American actor better known as Pete Morrison George Ernest Morrison (1862–1920), Australian adventurer known as Chinese Morrison George F. Morrison (1867–1943), American electric executive George M. Morrison (born 1902, date of death unknown), lawyer and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada George Pitt Morison (1861–1946), Australian painter and engraver George S. Morison (engineer) (1845–1903), American engineer and bridge designer George S. Morrison (diplomat) (c. 1830 – 1893), British diplomat George Stephen Morrison (1919–2008), U.S. Navy Admiral and father of The Doors singer Jim Morrison George W. Morrison (1809–1888), U.S. Representative from New Hampshire Grant Morrison (born 1960), Scottish comic book writer and artist Greg Morrison (born 1965), Canadian writer and composer Henry Morrison (cricketer) (1850–1913), New Zealand cricketer for Otago Henry C. Morrison (1871–1945), American educator Henry Clay Morrison (1857–1942), American evangelist and Asbury College president Henry Morrison Flagler (1830–1913), American industrialist Herbert Morrison (1888–1965), British politician Howard Morrison (1935–2009), New Zealand singer Hugh Morrison (Manitoba politician) (1892–1957), Progressive Conservative MP Hugh Morrison (UK politician) (1868–1931), British Conservative Party Member of Parliament Ian Morrison (disambiguation) Jacob Morrison (born 2003), American baseball player James Morrison (disambiguation) Jane Morrison, runaway slave and plaintiff in the 1857 case Morrison v. White Jason Morrison (disambiguation) Jeanette Morrison (1927–2004), birth name of Janet Leigh, American actress Jennifer Morrison (born 1979), American actress Jim Morrison (1943–1971), American singer-songwriter Joe Morrison, NFL football player John Morrison (disambiguation) Joseph Curran Morrison (1816–1885), lawyer, judge and political figure in Canada West Joseph G. Morrison (1871–1947), minister and general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene Joseph Wanton Morrison (1783–1826), British soldier in the War of 1812