Surname MacMorrow - Meaning and Origin
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MacMorrow: What does the surname MacMorrow mean?
The last name MacMorrow is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Mac Murchadha”, which means “son of Murchadh”. Murchadh is an old Irish name that has survived through the ages, and it translates to “sea warrior”. The original MacMorrows were a trio of brothers who were sea warriors based in the southwestern part of Scotland in the mid 1200’s.
The three brothers, Murchadh, Somhairle and Muireadhach settled in the south of Ireland in the same time period. They eventually split, with Muireadhach settling in the region of Belfast and going on to become the founding father of the MacMorrows.
The MacMorrows have been an established Gaelic family since the 13th century and are known for their strength, loyalty and intelligence. They were also known for their seafaring, military strategies and wealth. The MacMorrows were integral in securing the coasts of the Irish Sea, protecting the coastlines of Argyllshire and Ayr in Scotland and North Donegal in Ireland.
Throughout the ages, the MacMorrows have held a place of honour and respect in the Gaelic world, contributing to the fields of politics, academia and the military. They have been the source of many great Gaelic-Irish stories and legends, which have been passed down through the generations.
The MacMorrows therefore remain a proud, strong and noble Gaelic family with a rich history dating back hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMorrow: Where does the name MacMorrow come from?
The surname MacMorrow is most commonly seen in Ireland. It can be found throughout the country with the greatest concentration in Counties Louth, Tyrone, Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, and Sligo. It is also seen in Scotland and Great Britain, as well as in the United States and Canada.
MacMorrow is an Irish surname, likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Murchadha. It was originally the ancestral name of Muircheartach, a tenth century king of Leinster in Ireland. The surname likely began to spread during the Plantations of Ireland in the early to mid-17th century, when English colonists settled in the region and took on the local surnames.
Since then, the surname has spread throughout the diaspora, adopted by people of Irish heritage who have moved away from their homeland in search of a better life. In the United States, the surname is most commonly seen in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, though it can also be found throughout the country.
In Canada, the surname is most commonly found in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, likely due to the large number of Irish immigrants who arrived in the region during the 19th century. In Scotland, the surname is seen in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where it is most likely a result of the Irish diaspora.
Today, the surname of MacMorrow is still visible throughout the world in areas where Irish immigrants settled. Its prevalence is a testament to the legacy of the Irish people and their ongoing connection with their homeland.
Variations of the surname MacMorrow
MacMorrow is an Irish-Gaelic surname of ancient origin. Despite having a distinctive Gaelic sound, the MacMorrow surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the name Mordha or Mordhagh, an ancient Celtic name meaning “high” or “noble”.
MacMorrow is a common variant. Other forms of this surname include MacMorrow, MacMuhrwe, MacMurrow, MacMara, Meara and MacMarow. These surnames are all derived from the same Gaelic root but have been altered in spelling to reflect regional dialects.
The Mordhagh surnames of MacMorrow, Meara, and MacMarow have become common in Ireland and elsewhere in the British Isles, where it was seen in Scotland and parts of England. Additionally, variations of these surnames are found throughout the US and Canada, since they were taken there by Irish immigrants in the 19th century.
The MacMorrow family has a proud history, and the surname is often accompanied by a strong sense of identity among its members. While the spelling of the MacMorrow surname has changed over the centuries, the original foundation remains the same.
Famous people with the name MacMorrow
- Erika MacMorrow: American comedian, actress, and writer.
- Bart MacMorrow: American actor, best known for roles in the television series “Lost” and “Grey’s Anatomy”.
- Ioan MacMorrow: award-winning British actor who has appeared in films such as “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and the “Harry Potter” films.
- Chris MacMorrow: American voice actor, who voices characters in such video games as “Halo 5: Guardians” and “Wolfenstein: The New Order”.
- Gavin MacMorrow: Scottish actor and director, best known for his roles in the films “Yeoman” and “The Flight of the Phoenix”.
- Trish MacMorrow: Canadian performer and dancer who has appeared in television shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.
- Duncan MacMorrow: British actor and producer, best known for the films “The Crying Game” and “Sense and Sensibility”.
- Alice MacMorrow: American actress, best known for her role in the television series “Westworld”.
- Paige MacMorrow: American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with the band Ghost Voices.
- Shari MacMorrow: Canadian writer and theatre director, best known for her off-Broadway production of “Hecuba”.