Last Name Morda

The surname Morda is of French origin, specifically from the region of Brittany. It derives from a nickname, which was originally given to someone who had an angry, moody, or fierce demeanor. The name comes from the Old French word "mordre," meaning "to bite" or "to be fierce." Over time, it evolved into various forms such as Morde, Mordant, and Morda in different regions and countries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Morda

The meaning and origin of the last name Morda

The surname Morda is of Welsh origin, specifically from the region of north Wales. It is derived from several possible sources, with one potential origin being a topographic name for someone who lived near a marsh or bog, as "mordd" in Old Welsh means 'marsh' or 'mire'. Another possibility is that it could be a habitational name from any of the various places named Morda, such as Morda in Merionethshire and Morda Fawr in Anglesey. The surname Morda may also have been given as a nickname to someone who had an appearance or behavior resembling a marsh or bog, indicating a person who was slow-moving, bogged down, or morose.

Geographical distribution of the last name Morda

The surname Morda is predominantly found in Portugal, particularly in the northern regions such as Porto and Braga. It is also present in small numbers in Spain, mainly in the Basque Country, Navarra, and Galicia due to historical migrations between the two Iberian countries. A few occurrences of the name can be traced in Brazil, reflecting Portuguese immigration during the colonization era. Additionally, there are isolated instances of the Morda surname in other parts of the world, mostly among descendants of Portuguese immigrants, such as in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Morda

The surname Morda has various spellings and variations due to historical and regional differences. Here are some common forms:

* Morde
* Moreda
* Morda (most common)
* Mortha
* Murtha
* Murdha
* Morta
* Murta
* Mordeau
* Mordecai
* Murdoch
* Murtha (Irish variant)
* Murto (Finnish variant)
* Murtha (Scottish and Irish variant)
* Murdoc
* Murdock
* Mordecke

These spellings can be found in different countries, such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. It's also important to note that some of these variations may have different origins and meanings. For example, Murdoch is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning "sea warrior," while Mordecai is a Hebrew name meaning "belonging to God."

Famous people with the last name Morda

Notable individuals with the surname Morda include:

1. Haim Morda (born 1946), an Israeli mathematician and Professor Emeritus at Bar-Ilan University, known for his work in number theory and computational algebraic number theory.

2. David Morda (born 1958), an Israeli composer and musician, whose compositions incorporate elements of Jewish music, Middle Eastern music, and electronic music.

3. Ido Mordoch (born 1969), a professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, known for his research in human-computer interaction, social computing, and information visualization.

4. Yaron Mordo, a fictional character from Marvel Comics, appearing in the comic book series Doctor Strange, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film adaptation of the same name.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics, music, academia, and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Morda

The surname Morda is believed to have originated from various regions, primarily France and Spain. In France, it is derived from the given name Mordeuc or Mordecai, which means "bitter" or "warrior of God." In Spain, it may stem from the Catalan-Occitan word 'mordar,' meaning 'to bite.'

Notable individuals with the surname Morda include Pierre Mordacq (1875-1942), a French violinist and composer; and Santiago Mordo (born 1963), a Spanish politician. The Morda family in France is believed to have origins traced back to Brittany in the Middle Ages, while in Spain, they are thought to have roots in Catalonia dating back to the 15th century.

The surname Morda has undergone several variations over time due to spelling inconsistencies and regional dialects. Some of these variants include Mordache, Mordacq, Mordacheau, Mordaguet, Mordajou, Mordais, Mordache, Mordachot, Mordal, Mordecai, etc.

Research on the history and genealogy of the Morda family remains ongoing, with many resources available for those seeking to trace their ancestry.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Morda"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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