English
The name 'Morrison' originates from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. It is a derivative from the personal name 'Maurice', intorduced to britain by the Normans. (from the Latin name 'Mauritius', a derivative of 'Maurus'), this was borne by several minor early Christian saints, including a 3rd Century. Swiss martyr. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive's has confirmed that the surname 'Morrison' and or it's variant's, dates as far back as the 14th century were a 'Ricardus Morrison', from the County of Yorkshire, England, is recorded in 1379. It´s derivative 'Morris' the name of an extensive and powerful family in Colonial North America, who played a leading part in the emergence of the nation. They were decended from Richard Morris (died in 1672), who had fought in Cromwell's army and then bacame a merchant in Barbados. His son Lewis (1671-1746) established the 'manor' of Morrisiana in New York State. His grandson, Lewis (1726-1798), 3rd owner of that manor, was a signatory of the Declaration of Independance. Two other grandsons, Richard and Gouverneur, were also key figures in thr Revolution, their half brother Staats Morris (1728-1800) was a general in the British Army and governor of Quebec.Another signatory of the Declaration, Robert Morris (1734-1806), emigrated to America from Liverpool in 1747, aged 13. He became known as the 'Financier of the Revolution' and was the founder of the Bank of North America, He was personaly ruined by unwise speculation. Today 'Morrisson' is the '218th' most common surname in North America.