Morrison Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Morrison Family History

Morrison Family History

The Morrison ancient family history was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. The famous Morrisons originated in Scotland where Hugh, the Brieve, held the office of Hereditary Deemster in Lewis and adjacent islands. He was succeeded by his son John. They had many feuds with the MacLeods. It was only when the MacKenzies acquired Lewis in 1610 that the Morrisons found peace. John Morrison of Bragar, grandson of Brieve John, was a famous wit and poet. The Harris branch of the family produced a succession of noted armorers and smiths. Donald Morrison of Skinidin, Skye, married a daughter of John Breac MacLeod of MacLeod. In Ireland the name Morrison and its variants were introduced into Ulster Province by settlers who arrived from England and Scotland, especially during the seventeenth century. Morrison in Ireland is also of Gaelic origin being an anglicized form of the native O'Muirgheasain sept name, which was also changed to Bryson, Briceson and Mrisane. These name are mostly found in Derry and Donegal.The Morrison family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Morrison descendants.