This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Maurice' commonly spelt Morris; v. Maurice.

Mauricius fil. Mauricii, Northamptonshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Thomas Moris, Bedfordshire, ibid.

Ricardus Morrisson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

William Moreson, 1379: ibid.

Elena Morys, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Morys, 1379: ibid.

Jevan ap Moris Kemys: Visit. Gloucestershire 1623.

(a) Nick. 'the Moreys,' i.e. the Moorish, the Moor; compare Norris.

Robert le Moreys, Somerset, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

1575. Married — Robert Wolfe and Johane Morrys: St Jas, Clerkenwell.

1602. — Israeli Garrett and Alice Morrice: ibid.

Morice. Morrice. Forms of Maurice (from Latin Mauricius, 'moorish,' the name of a saint martyred in 286 A.D.). The name was introduced into Britain by the Normans among whom it was popular. Arthur Mauricius witnessed a charter by the earl of Levenax, 1364 (HP., IV, p. 16). Gilbert Morice or Moris held a tenement in Irvine, 1540 (Irvine, I, p. 167,168), and in 1565 Robert Morese was a tenant on lands of the bishop of Moray (REM., p. 433). James Morriss was a charter witness in Rrechin, 1512, and John Moreiss is recorded there in 1548 (REB., II, 169,200). Malcum Moreis was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1559 (NSCM., I, p. 66), and John Moreis is recorded in Wester Innergowry, 1585 (Scon, p. 229). John Moreis was retoured heir of John Dotchoun, portioner of Corshill, Kilwinning, 1633 (Retours, Ayr, 291), and David Moreis appears as coal grieve in Bogie in 1680 (RPC., 3. ser. VI p. 587). Alexander Morrice was appointed schoolmaster of Fettercairn in 1674, and David Mores died there in 1696 (Jervise, I, p. 251). James Morrice from Monquhitter, Aberdeenshire, was killed in the first Great War (Turriff). Moreis 1656, Moress 1552. Morise 1511, Monies 1670, Morys 1497, Moryse 1508.

= Maurice, q.v.

This common surname, which is, and has been, variously written Morriss, Morres, Moriee, Morriee, Maurice, Morys, Moris, Morrish, Morse; which gives rise to the patronymical forms Morrison, Morrisson, Morson; and which is found associated with various prefixes, such as Fitz, Clan, Mount, De, &c,, may be traced to various sources. "Of the English families of that name," observes Burke, "there are two classes, those of native, and those of foreign, extraction. The latter came over with the Conqueror. Of the former, the most ancient are derived from Wales. One section of the foreign class had a Moorish origin, as indeed the name expresses, and crossed over from Africa to Europe by way of Spain, whence were introduced into England, and other European countries, the Morrice dancers, who were accustomed to perform various feats of dancing. From the same source is derived the name of Montmorency corrupted from De Monte Moriseo, "of or from the Moorish Mountains," and thence abbreviated into Moris. (?) [The Le Moreys of H.R. somewhat favours a Moorish origin.]

AP MEURICE: (Welsh.) The son of Meurice or Morris.

(Welsh.) From Mawr and rys, a hero, a warrior, a brave man. Marth, the great, the warlike, same as Mavors.

Morris. —This name has evidently had more than one centre of origin. Its principal home is in the counties bordering Wales (excluding Cheshire), namely, Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire, and afterwards in the Welsh counties themselves. Thence it has spread over most of the midland counties, though it may be doubted whether it has not had a partially independent origin in Bucks, Leicestershire and Rutland, and Notts. However, an important and evidently an independent home has been founded in Hampshire, where it is very numerous. According to Lower, Morris, when found in Wales and in the adjoining English counties, is derived from Mars, the God of War (Welsh form Mawr - rwyce). In England it is undoubtedly often a corruption of Maurice, a name partly of Norman introduction. Probably Moss, which, judging from its distribution, is more often in England a corruption of Morris than a Jewish contraction of Moses, should be included here. It is principally found in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Essex. Morrison is a name almost peculiar to Scotland, being only scantily represented in England in Northumberland.