Morrissey — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Ó Muirgheasa
Meaning: 'sea valour'
Traditional stronghold: Tipperary, Waterford
Pronunciation: MORR-iss-ee; Irish Ó Muirgheasa: oh MWIR-yassa
History of the Morrissey name
Morrissey is Ó Muirgheasa, from muir, 'sea', and gus, 'vigour' or 'valour'. A sept of the name belonged to the Uí Fiachrach of Sligo, but most Morrisseys descend from families long established in the southeast, in Waterford, Tipperary and Kilkenny, where some are thought to spring from the Norman de Marisco family, gaelicised beyond recognition. The name is now inseparable from music: the Manchester-born son of Dublin emigrants who performs under his surname alone made Morrissey one of the most recognisable Irish names in popular culture.
Variants: Morrisey · Morrissy · O'Morrissey
Famous bearers of the name
- Morrissey — Singer of The Smiths, born in Manchester to Irish parents.
- Marty Morrissey — RTÉ GAA commentator and broadcaster.
- Neil Morrissey — British actor of Men Behaving Badly, born to Irish parents.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: O'Brien · Ryan · Walsh · Kennedy · Power · Whelan · Carroll · Hogan