UK surname
A surname derived from the given name Morris, itself from the Latin "Maurus" meaning dark or Moorish.
In the 1881 census there were 180 people recorded with the Morries surname, ranking it #13,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #13,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Llanarmon-Mynydd-Mawr, Eccles and Llanstephan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morries is 621 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.6%.
1881 census count
180
Ranked #13,735
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1861
621 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Morries surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Morries surname density by area, 1881 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 | 615 | #4,197 |
| 1861 | historical | 621 | #4,305 |
| 1881 | historical | 180 | #13,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 456 | #7,996 |
| 1901 | historical | 184 | #15,942 |
| 1911 | historical | 162 | #17,003 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 28 | #34,936 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 37 | #34,640 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 29 | #35,605 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 38 | #35,501 |
| 2012 | modern | 31 | #35,876 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Llanarmon-Mynydd-Mawr, Eccles, Llanstephan, Merthyr Tydfil and Liverpool. 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 | Llanarmon-Mynydd-Mawr | Montgomeryshire |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Llanstephan | Carmarthenshire |
| 4 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Morries 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 Morries, 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 Morries surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Morries 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, Morries 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 Morries is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Morries, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MORRIES is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "morre," which means "moorish" or "dark-skinned," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have had a swarthy complexion.
The earliest recorded instances of the MORRIES surname can be traced back to the county of Lancashire in northern England. It is possible that the name evolved from a place name, as many surnames did during that time period. However, there is no definitive evidence linking MORRIES to a specific location.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the MORRIES surname was Richard Morres, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. Another early record is of John Morres, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379.
In the 16th century, the name MORRIES appeared in various historical records, including the Parish Registers of Wigan, Lancashire, where a William Morries was christened in 1592. Around the same time, a Thomas Morries was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Cheshire in 1597.
A notable individual with the MORRIES surname was Sir William Morries (1591-1676), an English politician and member of Parliament for the borough of Brackley during the reign of King Charles I. He played a significant role in the English Civil War and was a staunch supporter of the Royalist cause.
Another prominent figure was Sir Christopher Morries (1617-1688), an English judge and Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of King James II. He was known for his unwavering commitment to the rule of law and his impartial approach to judicial matters.
In the 18th century, John Morries (1711-1784) was a renowned English architect and surveyor. He designed several notable buildings in London, including the St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden and the Foundling Hospital.
During the 19th century, Robert Morries (1839-1918) was a prominent British industrialist and entrepreneur. He founded the Morries Steel Company, which played a crucial role in the development of the steel industry in the United Kingdom.
The MORRIES surname has also been associated with various literary figures, such as the English poet and playwright William Morries (1834-1896), who was celebrated for his works on nature and rural life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morries 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. Carmarthenshire leads with 52 Morries' recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Carmarthenshire | 52 | 71.46x |
| Pembrokeshire | 43 | 78.37x |
| Caernarfonshire | 10 | 14.32x |
| Shropshire | 10 | 6.70x |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 2.30x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.44x |
| Glamorgan | 8 | 2.66x |
| Montgomeryshire | 7 | 17.69x |
| Cardiganshire | 6 | 14.25x |
| Inverness-shire | 6 | 11.64x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 0.69x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.18x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.52x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 1.60x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 9.56x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.17x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.36x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.39x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.44x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newmoat in Pembrokeshire leads with 30 Morries' recorded in 1881 and an index of 16666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Newmoat | 30 | 16666.67x |
| Pembrey | 11 | 328.36x |
| Treleachar Bettws | 9 | 1139.24x |
| Llandilo Fawr | 8 | 246.91x |
| Llangathen | 8 | 1568.63x |
| Birmingham | 6 | 4.13x |
| Castle Caereinion | 6 | 1714.29x |
| Kingussie Insh | 6 | 508.47x |
| Llandygwydd | 6 | 1090.91x |
| Kilgerran | 5 | 757.58x |
| Llanfihangel Penbedw | 5 | 2941.18x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 5 | 17.30x |
| Aston | 4 | 3.34x |
| Atherton | 4 | 53.62x |
| Llandwrog | 4 | 163.27x |
| Llanwinio | 4 | 754.72x |
| Burtonwood | 3 | 400.00x |
| Dolwyddelan | 3 | 400.00x |
| Lee Brockhurst | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Llangunnor | 3 | 461.54x |
| Mydrim | 3 | 555.56x |
| St John Near Swansea | 3 | 80.65x |
| Bedwellty | 2 | 9.07x |
| Bridgnorth St Mary | 2 | 136.99x |
| Carmarthen St Peter | 2 | 32.15x |
| Ford | 2 | 909.09x |
| Frodesley | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Leek Lowe | 2 | 25.81x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 1.61x |
| Llanarthney | 2 | 181.82x |
| Llanystymdwy | 2 | 294.12x |
| Shocklach Church | 2 | 1250.00x |
| St Dogmells | 2 | 136.99x |
| Abernant | 1 | 227.27x |
| Adel Cum Eccup | 1 | 140.85x |
| Gedney | 1 | 88.50x |
| Hartlebury | 1 | 74.63x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 2.43x |
| Kidwelly | 1 | 67.11x |
| Leek Frith | 1 | 204.08x |
| Llaniestyn | 1 | 185.19x |
| Madeley | 1 | 68.97x |
| Newport | 1 | 112.36x |
| Pool | 1 | 33.56x |
| Rawmarsh | 1 | 16.56x |
| Rochester St Margaret | 1 | 16.10x |
| Rothesay | 1 | 19.72x |
| Shrewsbury St Alkmond | 1 | 120.48x |
| Whitley | 1 | 120.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Morries 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 Morries 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 Morries households.
FAQ
In 1881, 180 people were recorded with the Morries surname. That placed it at #13,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Morries a modern rank of #35,224.
A surname derived from the given name Morris, itself from the Latin "Maurus" meaning dark or Moorish.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Morries 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.