Last Name Moreton

The surname Moreton is of English origin. It is derived from a place name, "Moreton," which appears in various counties of England including Dorset, Cheshire, and Staffordshire. The name refers to a place with a moor or marshy area where sea birds (more) nest (ton). Therefore, the surname Moreton likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived near such a place or was associated with these birds.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Moreton

The meaning and origin of the last name Moreton

The surname Moreton is of English origin, derived from various places named Moreton that exist throughout England. These places are named after the Old English term "Mora-tun," which means "Moora's farm" or "settlement." The name Moora is believed to be a personal name derived from the Old English word "mora," meaning peat or mud, indicating someone who lived near a marshy or boggy area. Over time, as people moved and migrated, variations of this surname emerged, such as Moreton, Moreton, Morrison, and others. The Moreton name can be found today in many English-speaking countries, particularly those with significant immigration from England, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Geographical distribution of the last name Moreton

The surname Moreton is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to England and Ireland, reflecting its Anglo-Saxon and Norman origins. In England, concentrations of the Moreton family can be found in counties such as Cheshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire, where the name has been traced back to the 13th century. In Ireland, a significant number of Moretons reside in County Cork, with smaller groups present in Dublin and other regions. The surname is also found in Scotland, particularly in Fife and Lanarkshire, as well as in Wales, with the highest concentrations in Glamorgan and Gwynedd. In recent times, there has been a dispersal of Moretons across various parts of the globe due to emigration, though the aforementioned regions remain the historical strongholds of this name.

Variants and spellings of the last name Moreton

The surname Moreton has several variants and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcribing and translating names from one language to another or over time. Some of these variations include: Morrison, Morritton, M'Ritten, Moretone, Moretoun, Moratone, Murraton, M'Rotten, M'Ratten, M'Roten, M'Routon, and M'Rauton. Additionally, there may be regional or localized variations such as Morritt (Yorkshire), Morriton (Lincolnshire) or Moratun (Cornwall). These spellings may also have evolved over time due to factors such as the Norman Conquest, where names were anglicized and simplified. Despite these variations, all of these surnames share a common origin, which is derived from Old French or Norman French 'Moret' meaning mulberry tree, or 'Moraine', a type of rocky ground or moraine.

Famous people with the last name Moreton

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Moreton include:

1. Samuel Moreton (1722-1796), an American jurist and politician from Delaware who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, a judge, and a signer of the Articles of Confederation.

2. Hugh Laurie (born 1959), originally from Oxford, England, is a renowned actor, writer, and musician. Known for his role in House M.D., he has won a Golden Globe and been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards.

3. Samuel Moreton Freeman-Mitford (1804-1879), also known as Lord Redesdale, was an influential British Conservative Party politician, peer, and diarist during the Victorian era. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1852 to 1858.

4. Edward Moreton Drake-Brockman (1893-1967), an Australian philanthropist and soldier, was a significant figure in Western Australia's development. Known for his philanthropic activities, he served as the Mayor of Perth from 1952 to 1954.

These individuals have made notable contributions across various fields such as law, entertainment, politics, and social services.

Genealogical research on the last name Moreton

The surname Moreton is of English origin and is believed to have derived from various places named Moreton in different regions of England. One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Willelmus de Moritone is listed as a landholder in the county of Worcestershire. The name is thought to be derived from either Old English 'mora' (moor) and 'tun' (settlement), indicating a settlement on moorland, or from the Old French 'Mauri(e)ton', meaning 'the town of Maurice'. Over time, variations in spelling such as Moreton, Moretton, and Morrison have emerged due to scribal errors and regional dialects. The family history is rich with notable individuals, including Sir Thomas Moreton, a knight during the reign of King Edward III, and Samuel Moreton, an influential Anglican bishop in the 18th century.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

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

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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 : 14 June 2025

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