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Clan Morrison (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Morrison

Gaelic Name: MacGhille Mhoire

Clan Crest: Issuant from waves of the sea Azure crested Argent, a mount Vert, thereon a battlemented wall Azure masoned Argent, and issuing therefrom a cubit arm naked Proper, the hand grasping a dagger hilted Or

Clan Motto: Teaghlach Phabbay (Pabbay family)

Origin of Name: Maurice's son or Mary's servant's son

Clan Badge: Driftwood

Lands: Aberdeenshire and Lewis

Clan Chief: R. Alasdair Morrison

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Morrison Clan History

Morrison has three distinct origins, two Hebridean and one mainland, which have all come to be spelled the same way. The Aberdeenshire branch was originally known as the'sons of Maurice' and appears to have no ties to the Hebridean clan.

In the Hebrides, one branch of the clan claims descent from the Donegal bards of O'Muircheasain, while the gaelic name 'Mac Ghille Mhuire' explains the origin of the other. Mac Ghille Mhuire translates as'son of the virgin Mary's servant,' who washed ashore after a shipwreck, according to legend. This incident is commemorated by the clan's driftwood badge.

The Morrisons claim to be descended from Olaf the Black, King of Man.

On Lewis, the Morrison chiefs held the hereditary celtic office of judge or "brieve" for many years. This, combined with their ties to the Lords of the Isles, established them as a family of great power and influence. They were a small clan, but they worked hard to keep the peace with their more aggressive neighbors during the nearly two centuries of unrest in the Isles.

The Morrison clan's power was broken in the sixteenth century when Hutcheon Morrison confessed on his deathbed to being the natural father of Torquil MacLeod, who had previously been accepted as the chief's son.Torquil was disinherited and formed an alliance with the MacKenzies and Morrisons. Torquil, however, turned on his allies, the Morrisons, and drove them from their lands following his ultimate victory over the MacLeods.

The Morrison clan later returned to Ness, but their former power had vanished.

Following the death of his father, Dr. John Ruaraidh (Ru) Morrison, the current clan chief, R. Alasdair Morrison, assumed the Chief's mantle on November 7, 2020.

Morrison Places & People

Morrison Individuals

Morrison, Ruaraidh (1660-1712).

He is regarded as one of the finest clarsach players to have emerged from Scotland, and is known as "an Clarsair Dall" or "the blind harper" of Lewis. He is best known for his Gaelic lamet, "Oran Mor Mhic Leoid."

Morrison, John (1790-1852).

A well-known Gaelic poet from the Isle of Harris.

Mr. James Morrison

Morrison, James (born 1932)

His paintings in oils and watercolours are in high demand for private collections. Four of his works are in the Duke of Edinburgh's private collection.

Morrison Tartans

Morrison the Elder

Morrison Contemporary

Morrison Red Aged

Morrison Red Contemporary

Morrison Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Morrison Crest

Crest Description: A cubit arm naked Proper, grasping a dagger hilted Or, issuing from waves of the sea Azure crested Argent, a mount Vert, thereon a battlemented wall Azure masoned Argent.

Coats of Arms of Morrison:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

Dairsie's MORISON

Three Saracen's heads conjoined in one neck, Azure, the faces facing the chief, dexter, and sinister sides of the shield, Proper.

Morison of Bognie: Azure, three Saracen's heads conjoined in one neck, Proper, the uppermost face facing the chief and a wreath affixed to the other two, which turn to the dexter and sinister sides of the shield.

Morison of Prestongrange: Argent, two and one moor's heads couped Sable, banded of the first.

PRESTON GRANGE MORISON Three moors' heads couped proper, argent. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1672-7

WS Henry MORISON Argent, three saracens' heads conjoined in one neck, dexter and sinister proper, wreathed with laurel leaves Vert between two falcons' heads couped in fess Azure. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1672-7

HEICS, Major Alexander MORISON Three moors' heads were couped by an ermine. banded sable For contrast, an eagle of the second type can be displayed in the center. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1806

NAUGHTON DUNCAN-MORISON 1st and 4th quarters Argent on a saltire couped Sable, three moors' heads couped of the second banded Or, a heart of the second Gules, a chevron Or, a saltire engrailed between two cinquefoils in chief and a hunting-horn in base Argent garnished Azure within a bordure of the second 3rd grand quarter i & iv Argent Sable ii Argent a saltire engrailed between four roses Gules iii Or a bend chequy Argent and Sable within a bordure Gules. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1853

NAUGHTON MORISON-DUNCAN Quarterly 1st & 4th Gules a chevron Or between two cinquefoils in chief Argent and a hunting-horn in base of the third garnished and stringed Azure within a bordure of the second 2nd Argent on a saltire couped Sable between three moors' heads couped of the second banded Or a heart of the third 3rd grand quarter i & iv Argent a saltire Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1876

Touch House, Stirling, James G MORISON Argent three srarcens' heads couped Sable, a bordure engrailed Azure, charged with three fleurs de lys, two in chief and one in base Or. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1857

Mrs Jean Morison of Hetland CAMPBELL-MILLER-MORISON A bear's head couped argent Azure was muzzled. Gules, three moors' heads couped The second is a sable banded sable. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1888

Alexander BLACKHALL-MORISON, MD Quarterly, first and fourth Argent, three Moors'heads couped proper banded Azure within a bordure engrailed Gules, second and third Gules, a hooded falcon sitting on a hand and glove Or, three mullets of the field on a chief Argent. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

July 18, 1919 24/18

Clan Morrison Association Argent, three Saracens' heads couped conjoined in one neck, one affrontée, the others looking to the dexter and sinister proper between three slipped foils Vert, two in chief and one in base. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

September 20th, 1919, 24/9

BOGNIE MORISON Three saracens' heads conjoined in one neck Argent, the uppermost face looking to the chief and a wreath affixed to the other two, which turn to the dexter and sinister. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland

1673 Stacy

Bt. Sir Charles MORISONE

Cashiobury, Hertfordshire Or three chaplets of the first on a chief Gules. a) Cooke Harl. MS 1052 fo 19b, Harleian Society's Grantees of Arms, 20 May 1586

b) Coat of Arms: Burke's Extinct Baronetcies 1841