UK surname
A locational surname indicating someone who lived near a moor or heath.
In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Morie surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #32,081 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tamworth, Dundonald and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morie is 115 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.5%.
1881 census count
11
Ranked #32,081
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1891
115 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Morie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Morie surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 14 | #30,790 |
| 1861 | historical | 77 | #23,975 |
| 1881 | historical | 11 | #32,081 |
| 1891 | historical | 115 | #21,878 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tamworth, Dundonald, Lambeth, Mylor and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamworth | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Dundonald | Ayr |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Mylor | Cornwall |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Morie surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Morie, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Morie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Morie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Morie is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Morie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Morie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Morie is believed to have originated in Scotland, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "muir," meaning "sea" or "ocean," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near the coast or worked as a sailor.
One of the earliest known references to the name Morie can be found in the Scottish Burgess Rolls of the 16th century, which recorded the names of freemen and merchants in various towns and cities. The name Morie appeared in these rolls, indicating its presence in Scotland during this period.
In the 17th century, the name Morie appeared in various parish records and legal documents throughout Scotland. For instance, in 1642, a William Morie was recorded as a landowner in the parish of Kilwinning, Ayrshire. Similarly, in 1678, a John Morie was listed as a merchant in the town of Kirkcaldy, Fife.
As the centuries progressed, the name spread beyond Scotland, with some notable individuals bearing the surname Morie. In the 18th century, James Morie (1707-1779) was a Scottish philosopher and educator who served as the rector of the University of Edinburgh.
In the 19th century, the name gained prominence in France, with Jules Morie (1832-1892) becoming a renowned French painter and illustrator, known for his depictions of rural life and landscapes.
Another notable figure was Sir Archibald Morie (1872-1945), a British politician and lawyer who served as the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1929 to 1932.
The 20th century saw the name Morie continue to be carried by various individuals, such as Robert Morie (1920-2005), an American writer and journalist who covered World War II for various publications.
Additionally, the name Morie has been linked to several place names throughout Scotland, such as Morie Loch in Argyll and Bute, and Morie Farm in Dumfries and Galloway, further reinforcing the name's Scottish origins and connections to the landscape.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 5 Mories recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 4.66x |
| Essex | 2 | 9.45x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 1.88x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 2.88x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 4 Mories recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 4 | 46.35x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 1 | 277.78x |
| Dagenham | 1 | 769.23x |
| Govan | 1 | 11.66x |
| Havering | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 10.70x |
| St Botolph Aldersgate | 1 | 833.33x |
| Yeadon | 1 | 416.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Morie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Morie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Morie households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Housmaid Dom | 1 |
| K Maid (Dom) | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Ry Ticket Collector | 1 |
| Umbrella Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Morie surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Morie a modern rank of #38,110.
A locational surname indicating someone who lived near a moor or heath.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Morie bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.