Clan Morrison

Clan Morrison is a highland and lowland Scottish Clan that is believe to have originated in the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The name Morrison is derived from Mac Ghille Mhoire, which translates into "son of a servant of the Virgin Mary". According to legend the Morrison Clan can trace their beginning back to Olaf the Black, a 13th century viking. Olaf's ship was shipwrecked off the coast of the Island of lewis, Olaf's family and crew made their way to shore where they established a colony among the existing inhabitants. Olaf's son, GilleMhuire, married into Clan Gow becoming the owner of the Gow's land holdings in the Hebrides.

The clan motto is Teaghlach Phabbay, which translates into "Family of Pabbay", and the clan's crest features an arm grasping a dagger, reaching from a castle wall, surrounded by the waves of the sea.

The historic seat of the Morrisons of the Hebrides was Dùn Èistean, on the north point of the Isle of Lewis, this castle was built sometime in the early 13th century and was held by the Morrisons until 1613. All that remains of the ancient castle is the ruins of two large buildings along with inter-connect cellar structures. The Morrison Clan society purchased Dùn Èistean from a London property company and transferred the ownership to the clan's chief. The historic seat of the mainland branch of the Morrison family was Bognie Castle located near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. The Castle was constructed in the late 17th century by the clan but was never inhabited. The castle is now a scheduled Scottish ancient monument.

The Morrison Clan society was formed in 1909 in Scotland with the purpose to find the hereditary chief of the clan. In 1965 John Morrison of Ruchdi was recognized as chief of the Morrison Clan. At the time they could not located any descendants from some of the other lines of the clan so it was decided that other chief could be recognized in time but they would be under Morrison of Ruchdi.

[rossbabcock]

This is cool! You don't hear much about Clan Morrison. I my great gran is a Gilmore from Lewis. She had stories about the MacLeods and MacAulays.

[laviothmartel]

I am a morrison. My branch of the family settled in cape Breton in the 1600s I believe

[Brecamp]

I am a Gilmer……still working on my ancestry but by all accounts I am finding that likely I am a Morrison! So cool to find out histories!

[toddjohnson]

Grandma was a Morrison!her father was Carl Morrison I think they came from A.A.Morrison, N.Carolina 1700s.

[markvonahnen]

I'm a descendant of a branch of the clan which migrated to the US. Not sure if that makes me a Morrison or not.

[frasermorrison]

I'm fraser morrison my papa was Duncan morrison. He was brought up in poverty but settled with my German gran who he met in ww2 . From what I was told we used to steal cattle lol please explain this ?

[DarkWolf-nxpu]

My dads biological dad last name is Morrison. And one of his grandparents is Jim Morrison. The singer.

[peytonwm]

I still have yet to find any ancestors that came directly from Scotland. My 5th great grandfather was born in Northern Ireland but I haven’t found any records of his parents, his exact birthday, siblings, or anything. Maybe one day I will

[brutal]

Is there any evidence of Olaf the blacks son Gilehmoirre? It's a controversial subject apparently

[leighmorrison]

My grandad form birth family is Alexander morrison married a helen Patterson my nan am looking to find relatives some where in dunfermiline some lambeth in London as they moved there and had more children after leaving 6 in Scotland

[shannonmorrison]

I'm a Morrison but I'm also native American. I'm curious about our last name

[coppertopv]

Viking? From Where? Denmark, Norway, Sweden?