Surname Morehead - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Unearthing Identity and Heritage: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA test and the Morehead Surname
Unraveling a sense of identity and heritage through a simple DNA test seemed far-fetched before. But, since I took the iGENEA DNA test, my perception of my surname, Morehead, and my family identity has been altered from the core. The results shed light on my genetic past, emphasizing the significance of understanding our roots, and changed my narrative of who I am and where I belong.
O. Morehead
read moreMorehead: What does the surname Morehead mean?
The surname Morehead is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name Moray, Scotland. The original Gaelic form of the name was Moireabh which is often Anglicized as Morehead, as well as Moray and Murray. The place known as Moray is located in the northeast of the Scottish Highlands. The first recorded spelling of the family name is from the 12th century. The name likely refers to someone from that region or possibly as a nickname for someone with a similar character or traits to a traditional or stereotypical person from Moray. Generally, many surnames during medieval times became hereditary as they pass on from generation to generation and it began to be used to distinguish people for social and administrative purposes. Therefore, the meaning of the surname Morehead may have different interpretations depending on genealogical, historical and geographical strands. However, it has no literal or symbolic meaning in translation.
Order DNA origin analysisMorehead: Where does the name Morehead come from?
The last name Morehead is a relatively common name today and can be found throughout the United States and other parts of the world. It is most commonly found in the southern regions of the United States, including Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and is especially common in and around the Appalachian mountain region. It can also be found along the eastern seaboard, although to a lesser degree, and in some Midwestern and western states including Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Morehead can also be found in other parts of the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In Canada, it is mainly found in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. In the United Kingdom, it is most commonly found in the country’s northeastern and eastern regions, including England, Scotland, and Wales.
Although its exact origins are unknown, Morehead likely originated as a habitational or topographical name for someone who came from a place called Morehead or lived near a landmark of that name. Another theory suggests that it could be the Americanized version of the French surname Moreau or Moréaux. Regardless of its origin, the last name Morehead is widely recognized today, having been spread to different regions throughout the United States and beyond.
Variations of the surname Morehead
Morehead is a surname of English origin, and it has a variety of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. The most commonly used variation in Britain is Morhead or Mourehead. These spellings are a result of the original spelling being slightly modified over time.
In Ireland, the surname has been Anglicized to O'Muireadhaigh, which is a patronymic form derived from the old Irish given name Muireadach, meaning "lord of the sea." In Scotland, it is sometimes spelled Moorhead. Other variations of the surname include Mullard, Muhlard, Moolard, Mylard, or Millard.
In the United States, it is most commonly spelled Morehead. Other variations include Morehed, Morhed, Murhead, and Murhed. In some cases, immigrants to the U.S. from Ireland adopted Americanized variants such as Mardine, McMorehead, and even Cardine. It is also sometimes seen as Mordue, Mardy, Mordy, Morrell, Morrill, Murrell, and Murrill.
Overall, the surname Morehead has a host of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that have all been derived from the same origin over time.
Famous people with the name Morehead
- Annette Morehead: Olympic swimmer
- Blaise Morehead: former Miss USA pageant winner
- Charles E. Morehead: former U.S. Senator from Kentucky
- Earl Morehead: former North Carolina state representative, judge, and lieutenant governor
- Elizabeth Morehead: actress
- Hampton Morehead: professional football player
- Jeffrey Morehead: former NHL hockey player
- John Jr. Morehead: former Kentucky state representative
- Lucius Q.C. Lamar Morehead: United States Representative from North Carolina
- Margaret Morehead: Oscar-winning producer
- Maurice Morehead: former U.S. federal judge
- Miles Morehead: former Virginia state delegate
- Robert Morehead: World War II flying ace
- Russell Morehead: Australian rugby league player
- Samuel Morehead: former mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Thurmond Morehead: former mayor of St. Louis, Missouri
- Thomas Morehead: former Kentucky state legislator
- Thomas Morehead: former English cricketer
- Tina Morehead: former NBA Dancer
- William Morehead: former U.S. Senator from Kentucky