Surname Morgan - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Celtic Origins of the Surname 'Morgan' Through DNA Analysis with iGENEA

Curiosity about the history behind my family name, 'Morgan', led me to embark on a DNA analysis journey with iGENEA... A fascinating, enlightening experience that unraveled my Celtic roots and shed light on the name 'Morgan', connecting me with my ancestors, the seafarers of the Celtic Sea.

Z. Morgan

Morgan: What does the surname Morgan mean?

The surname Morgan is of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh personal name "Morcant". The name is a combination of two words: "mor" meaning "sea" and "cant" meaning "circle". Therefore, Morgan is often interpreted to mean "sea circle", but the exact interpretation is uncertain as "cant" could also be derived from "can" meaning "bright” or "white" which would change the meaning. Over time, the name was anglicized to Morgan after the Norman conquest of Wales. Despite its Welsh roots, it is a popular surname in many English-speaking countries today. Notable bearers of the surname include the financier J.P. Morgan, the actor Morgan Freeman, and the author Morgan Robertson, among others. The name has also been used as a first name for both boys and girls. It is the 34th most common surname in the United Kingdom. It is also popular in the United States, ranking 62nd for the most common surnames as of the 2000 U.S. Census.

Morgan: Where does the name Morgan come from?

The surname Morgan traces its origin to Wales and is believed to have begun as a patronymic (a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor) meaning "son of Morcant". Morcant is a Welsh personal name combining elements of the words "sea" and "circle".

In the early Middle Ages, it was common for people to be known by a single given name, leading to confusion as the population increased. Surnames were then introduced in order to provide clearer identification. The surname Morgan historically appeared in many different forms due to translation, regional dialects, and phonetic spelling, with variations including Morgain, Morgaine, and Morgann.

Despite its Welsh origins, the surname Morgan is now common worldwide due in part to migration, particularly to English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is worth noting, the surname Morgan is still especially prevalent in its country of origin, Wales. The name remains fairly frequent in the United States where it was adopted by various groups, including the Irish, as an anglicized form of their native surnames.

Variations of the surname Morgan

The surname Morgan is of Welsh origin, derived from the old Welsh personal name Morcant, which is composed of the elements "mor", meaning "sea", and "cant", meaning "circle". Morgan is a popular surname and has numerous variations and spellings across different countries and cultures.

Variations and alternative spellings of the name Morgan can include Morgans, Morrgan, Morgen, Morgun, Morgin, Morgon, Morgane, Murgan, Murrgan, Morghan, Morgaine, Morgana, and Morgann. Some of these variants are also used as first names.

In terms of surnames of the same root or similar origin, some examples would be Morcant, Morgant, Morghen, and Mourgan.

While the original Welsh version is commonly used, several other cultural forms also exist. For instance, in Gaelic, the equivalent is often seen as "O'Muireagain" or "O'Muirgheain". And in Breton tradition, the equivalent surname is "Morgant".

Without a doubt, the name has evolved and morphed over the centuries across different regions and languages, leading to a myriad of variations. But in all its forms, the name Morgan carries a historical resonance with its ancient Welsh roots.

Famous people with the name Morgan

• Piers Morgan: British television presenter and former newspaper editor
• Tracy Morgan: American actor and comedian
• Henry Morgan: Privateer in the British Navy during the 1600s
• Cardi B: American rapper and songwriter
• Russell Morgan: American singer and songwriter
• J. P. Morgan: American financier and banker in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Lee Morgan: jazz trumpeter
• Luke Morgan: professional WWE wrestler
• Juliana Morgan: American film and television actress
• David Morgan: American journalist and radio and television presenter
• Gareth Morgan: British comedy and television actor
• Joy Morgan: British reality television star
• Richard Morgan: British science fiction and fantasy novelist
• Catriona Morgan: Scottish field hockey player
• Helena Morgan: Welsh author and illustrator
• Samantha Morgan: American model and actress
• Doc Morgan: American baseball player
• Anna Morgan: American film, television, and stage actress
• Yvette Nicole Brown: American actress
• Glen Morgan: American writer, director, and producer

Other surnames

MorgadoMorgain