Morton
A sept of the Douglas family
Though shrouded by the
mists of time, the chronicles of Scotland reveal the early records
of the Norman surname Morton which ranks as one of the oldest. The
history of the name is interwoven within the colourful plaid of
Scottish history and is an intrinsic part of the heritage of
Scotland.
Diligent analysis by professional researchers using
such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by
William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem (written by
Robert Wace), the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, the Inquisitio,
the Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records,
baptismal records, family genealogies and local parish and church
records shows the first record of the name Morton was found in
Cheshire where they were seated from very early times and were
granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for
their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
A.D.
Variable spellings of the name were typically linked to
a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of
Hastings. Your ancestral name, Morton, occurred in many references
from time to time, and variations included Morton, Moreton, Moorton,
Myrton, and many others. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it
sounded. It was not unlikely that a person would be born with one
spelling, married with another and buried with a headstone which
showed another. Preferences for different spellings were derived
from a branch preference, to indicate a religious adherence or
sometimes to show nationalistic allegiance.
The family name
Morton is believed to be descendent originally from the Norman race.
The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were,
more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys
and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King,
Stirgud the Stout. Later, about 940 A.D. under their Jarl, Thorfinn
Rollo, they invaded France. The French King, Charles the Simple,
became first Duke of Normandy. Duke William, who invaded and
defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of
Normandy.
After the Conquest, Duke William took a census of
most of England in 1086; it became known as the Domesday Book. By
1070, William’s nobles were growing restive and dissatisfied with
their grants of land. William took an army north and laid waste most
of the northern countries. King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland offered
refuge to these nobles, granting them land. Later, (about 1160),
King David also encouraged his Norman friends to come north to join
the royal court and obtain lands.
The surname Morton emerged
as a notable Scottish name in the county of Cheshire where they were
recorded as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of the manor
and estates in that shire. This distinguished Cheshire family are
said to be descended from Robert, the Earl of Mortain, a brother of
William the Conqueror. They received many Lordships in Cheshire and
named their seats Moreton, Little Moreton and Greater Moreton. By
the year 1170, they had moved north into Dumfrieshire where, in
1160, they were granted lands by Earl David, King David of Scotland.
They became strong Ecclesiastics and businessmen in southwest
Scotland. Meanwhile, the Mortons of Cheshire intermarried with the
Masseys, the Davenports, and were elected to the peerage as the
Earls of Ducie. Of note among the family at this time was the Earls
of Ducie. More recently, John Morton of Pennsylvania was a signer of
the American Declaration of Independence and Thomas Morton (1590? to
1647) was an English born American adventurer who, after settling in
what is now known as Quincy, Mass., established a colony which he
called Ma-re Mount. He was arrested and sent to England but later
returned. His exploits were the subject of Hawthorne’s "The Maypole
of Merry Mount".
The surname Morton contributed much to local
politics and to the affairs of England or Scotland. Later, in the
16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the country was ravaged by religious
and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament
fought for supremacy. The unrest caused many to think of distant
lands.
Settlers in Ireland became known as the "Adventurers
for land in Ireland". Essentially, they "undertook" to keep the
Protestant faith and became known as "the Undertakers". Thirty
families of Morton settled in Ireland mostly in Antrim.
The
news about the attractions of the New World spread like wildfire.
Many sailed aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as "White
Sails".
In North America, migrants which could be considered
kinsmen of the surname Morton or variable spellings of that same
family name, included Edward Moreton. He settled in the Barbados in
1685; John Moreton settled in New England in 1663; Mathew Moreton
settled in Virginia in 1698; George Morton settled in Plymouth,
Mass. in 1623; Henry Morton settled in Charleston in 1767; Mary
Morton and her husband settled in Salem in 1630; William Morton
settled in Virginia in 1654.
From the port of arrival, many
settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War
of Independence some declared their loyalty to the crown and moved
northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire
Loyalists.
Meanwhile, the family name was noted in the social
stream. There were many notables of this name Morton: Levi P.
Morton, U.S. Vice President; Henry Morton, British writer; Richard
Morton, Biochemist; Robert Morton, Professor; Sir Stanley Morton.
The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was:
Silver on a black diagonal stripe three round buckles.
The
crest was:
A Moorcock.
The Ancient family motto for this
distinguished name was:
"Perseverando"
Not to be confused
with:
The Earls of Morton
The Douglases of
Morton Castle
Any contributions to this item will be
gratefully accepted
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