Parent’s name

Morrow surname meaning

An Irish and Scottish surname with patronymic routes from MacMurchadha, MacMuireadhaigh, or related Gaelic personal names.

Confidence: Disputed
US frequency: Rank 609 · 54,003 people
Common variants: Morrow, McMorrow, Murrow, Morrogh

Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.

The short story

Morrow is an anglicized surname with several Irish and Scottish Gaelic histories. Irish families may descend from MacMurchadha or Ó Murchadha, linked with the personal name Murchadh, “sea warrior” or “sea battle.” Other Scottish lines reflect MacMuireadhaigh and related Gaelic names, while some American Morrows may represent French Moreau or Morin. An English place-name explanation has also been proposed. Morrow, McMorrow, Murrow, and Morrogh are historical comparisons, not proof of one origin. The catalog uses parent’s name for the Gaelic patronymic routes, with disputed confidence because the traditions compete.

Also seen as: Morrow, McMorrow, Murrow, Morrogh

Sources used

Ancestry surname meaning for Morrow citing DAFN 2022 (Irish McMorrow and French/Walloon alternatives)
Wikipedia “Morrow (surname)” (Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname history)
Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)