Morin Surname Meaning and Family History

The Morin surname derives from the Old French morin, a diminutive of the name "More," meaning "dark and swarthy" [as a moor]. It may also have originated as a topographical surname for one who lived on or near a moor.

The Morin surname could also possibly originate as an adaptation of Irish surnames such as O'Morahan and O'Moran, or as a patronymic surname meaning "the son of Maurice."

Surname Origin: French

Alternate Surname Spellings: MOREN, MORRIN, MORREN, MORINI, MORAN, O'MORAN, MURRAN, MORO

Famous People with the Morin Surname

• Jean-Baptiste Morin - French mathematician, astrologer, and astronomer.
• Jean-Baptiste Morin - French composer
• Arthur Morin - French physicist
• James C. Morin - American Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist
• René Morin - head of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during World War II
• Jean Morin - French Baroque artist
• Lee Morin - American astronaut

Where is the Mori Surname Most Common?

The Morin surname, according to surname distribution information from Forebears, is the 3,333rd most common surname in the world. It is most commonly found today in Canada, where it ranks as the 24th most common surname in the country. It is also very prevalent in France (ranked 47th) and the Seychelles (97th).

WorldNames PublicProfiler indicates the Morin surname is most common in France—particularly in the regions of Poitou-Charentes, Basse-Normandie, Bretagne, Haute-Normandie, Centre, Pays-de-la-Loire, and Bourgogne. It is also fairly prevalent in Canada, particularly in the Northwest Territories, as well as Maine and New Hampshire in the United States.

Genealogy Resources for the Surname Morin

Morin Family Crest - It's Not What You Think
Contrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Morin family crest or coat of arms for the Morin surname. Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.

MORIN Family Genealogy Forum
This free message board is focused on descendants of Morin ancestors around the world. Search the forum for posts about your Morin ancestors, or join the forum and post your own queries. 

FamilySearch - MORIN Genealogy
Explore over 2.4 million results from digitized historical records and lineage-linked family trees related to the Morin surname on this free website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

MORIN Surname Mailing List
Free mailing list for researchers of the Morin surname and its variations includes subscription details and a searchable archives of past messages.

GeneaNet - Morin Records
GeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Morin surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries.

The Morin Genealogy and Family Tree Page
Browse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Morin surname from the website of Genealogy Today.

Genealogy of Canada: Morin Family Tree
A collection of links and information for Morin ancestors shared by researchers.

Ancestry.com: Morin Surname
Explore over 1.2 million digitized records and database entries, including census records, passenger lists, military records, land deeds, probates, wills and other records for the Morin surname on the subscription-based website, Ancestry.com

References: Surname Meanings & Origins

Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.

Dorward, David. Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.

Fucilla, Joseph. Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.

Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.

Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.

Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.