Origin & Meaning of the Morgan Surname
What does the last name Morgan mean?
The surname Morgan carries the meaning "From the Old Welsh Morcant meaning 'sea circle' or 'sea chief'." It is derived from the Welsh language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 286,280 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Morgan ranks as the #69 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Morgan come from?
The Morgan surname has its roots in Welsh heritage. Names of Welsh origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Morgan name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Morgan trace back to Welsh. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Morgan |
|---|---|
| Meaning | From the Old Welsh Morcant meaning 'sea circle' or 'sea chief' |
| Origin | Welsh |
| Language | Welsh |
| US Rank (2010) | #69 |
| US Count (2010) | 286,280 |
| Per 100K People | 97.05 |
| First Letter | M |
Ethnic Distribution of Morgan
According to the US Census, the Morgan surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 286,280 Americans with the Morgan last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 76.07% |
| Black | 17.27% |
| Hispanic | 2.78% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.54% |
| Native American | 1.24% |
| Two or More Races | 2.1% |
Popularity of Morgan Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Morgan surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Morgan surname increased by 9,880 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Morgan Ancestry
Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Morgan ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.
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The Complete Story of the Morgan Family
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- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Morgan
- ✓ The Morgan coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Morgan families live today
- ✓ Notable Morgan bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Morgan
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Morgan.
Other Welsh Surnames
Explore more surnames with Welsh roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Welsh origin as Morgan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Morgan
Top Surnames Starting with M
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter M, ranked by population.
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