Coats of arms, also known as armorial bearings or a shield of arms, are heraldic visual designs on a shield, surcoat, or tabard. They were first used in the 12th century by European nobility to establish identity in battle, and later to denote family descent, adoption, alliance, property ownership, and profession. The coat of arms generally refers to the cape, shield, crest, and helmet, while the family crest is a small image that lies on the helm. The coat of arms of the Morris family came into existence many centuries ago, and the meaning of its symbols and colours can be interpreted in several ways.
What You'll Learn
- The name Morris is derived from the Latin name Mauritius, which comes from the word 'maurus', meaning Moor
- The Morris coat of arms features symbols that represent generosity, constancy, grief, and deathless courage
- In heraldry, the term 'coat of arms' refers to the surcoat, a cloth tunic worn over armour
- The colours and symbols on a coat of arms have specific meanings, with gold representing generosity and elevation of the mind, and red symbolising a warrior or martyr
- The coat of arms is accompanied by a warrior's helmet, a crest, and a motto
The name Morris is derived from the Latin name Mauritius, which comes from the word 'maurus', meaning Moor
The name Morris is derived from the Latin name Mauritius, which comes from the Latin word 'maurus', meaning Moor. The name Mauritius originates from the Roman Empire period, meaning "one from Mauretania", or "the Moor".
In England and Scotland, the surname Morris has two origins. Firstly, it is a baptismal name meaning "the son of Maurice", which was a common name in ancient France. Secondly, it is derived from the nickname "the Moreys", meaning Moorish or Moor, or referring to a person with a dark or swarthy complexion.
In Wales, the surname Morris is an Anglicisation of the Welsh name Meurig, which is also a Welsh variant of the Latin Mauritius. In Ireland, the name is predominantly of Norman origin, deriving from "de Marisco", meaning "of the marsh".
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The Morris coat of arms features symbols that represent generosity, constancy, grief, and deathless courage
Coats of arms, also known as armorial bearings or shield of arms, are heraldic visual designs on a shield, surcoat, or tabard. They were first used in early medieval Europe to establish identity in battle. Over time, coats of arms also came to denote family descent, adoption, alliance, property ownership, and profession.
Generosity is represented by the colour gold, or or, in heraldry. The colour gold is also associated with elevation of the mind. The Morris coat of arms may feature gold as a symbol of generosity and elevated thinking.
Constancy is signified by the colour black. Black can also represent grief, and this dual meaning is reflected in the Morris coat of arms.
Grief is also denoted by the colour purple, which symbolises royalty, sovereignty, and justice. The combination of black and purple on the Morris coat of arms may indicate constancy and grief, with additional connotations of royalty and justice.
Deathless courage, or valour, is symbolised by the lion, a common charge, or design, on coats of arms. The lion represents dauntless courage and is often chosen by families to signify their positive traits and fierce appearance.
The Morris coat of arms, with its symbolic colours and charges, serves as a visual representation of the family's values, history, and accomplishments.
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In heraldry, the term 'coat of arms' refers to the surcoat, a cloth tunic worn over armour
The term "coat of arms" refers to the surcoat, a cloth tunic worn over armour to shield it from the sun. The surcoat displayed the knight's insignia, helping to identify them on the battlefield and at tournaments. In the Middle Ages, soldiers commonly wore surcoats, which were long, loose, and often sleeveless coats that reached down to the feet. The name comes from the French "surcoat" meaning "over the coat".
From the late 12th century, knights wore long, flowing surcoats, often emblazoned with their personal arms. These usually extended to mid-calf and had slits in the front and back to allow for comfortable riding. Some historians believe that the practice of wearing white surcoats was adopted during the Crusades to reflect the sun and prevent overheating.
The surcoat was phased out in the 15th century when plate armour became common. This period, from 1420 to 1485, is known as the "surcoatless period".
The coat of arms is a heraldic visual design that can be displayed on a shield, surcoat, or tabard. Heraldic designs came into general use among European nobility in the 12th century, and by the 13th century, they had become systematic and heritable. In England, arms became hereditary by the end of the 12th century during the Third Crusade (1189-1192) by King Richard I.
The Morris coat of arms came into existence many centuries ago, likely in the 11th century. The name Morris has Anglo-Norman origins, meaning "dark-complexioned one", and spread to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Morris coat of arms would have been used to identify members of the Morris family in battle and at tournaments.
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The colours and symbols on a coat of arms have specific meanings, with gold representing generosity and elevation of the mind, and red symbolising a warrior or martyr
The coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield, surcoat, or tabard. Medieval knights used coats of arms to identify themselves, with the designs adorning their shields, helmets, and armour. Over time, the coat of arms became a status symbol, providing commentary on one's family history, property, and profession.
The meaning of the colours and symbols can vary, but here are some general interpretations:
- Gold: generosity and elevation of the mind
- Silver or white: peace and sincerity
- Red: warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity
- Blue: truth and loyalty
- Green: hope, joy, and loyalty in love
- Black: constancy or grief
- Purple: royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice
- Orange: worthy ambition
- Maroon: patient in battle and yet victorious
In addition to colours, symbols and charges on a coat of arms also carry specific meanings. For example, animals such as lions, eagles, and boars were commonly used to represent positive traits like courage, strength, and alertness. Flowers and fruits were often used to symbolise hope, joy, and peace.
The Morris coat of arms, associated with the last name Morris, has a rich history and several variations. The name Morris has its origins in the baptismal name "the son of Maurice" and is derived from the Latin name Mauritius, meaning "moor". The surname is also associated with swarthy complexions and has connections to Moorish or Moor people.
There are several branches of the Morris family with distinct coat of arms, including:
- Morris of Dunkathel: This branch is associated with Richard Morris of Dunakathel in County Cork, Ireland. Their coat of arms features a lion rampant reguardant or, which is a lion standing with one front paw raised and facing the viewer. The crest is an eagle displayed, or shown in a natural stance.
- Morris of Hurst: This branch is associated with Philip Morris, a Barrister-at-Law. Their coat of arms features a lion passant or, a lion walking with its right forepaw raised, between three scaling ladders on a red background. The crest is a boar's head.
- Morris of Netherby: This branch is associated with Reverend Francis Orpen Morris, a chaplain and magistrate. Their coat of arms is quarterly, with the first and fourth sections featuring a red background and a lion rampant reguardant or, and the second and third sections featuring three boars' heads on a white background. The crest is a lion rampant reguardant or.
- Morris of Wood Eaton: This branch is associated with Charles John Morris of Wood Eaton Manor in County Stafford. Their coat of arms features a lion passant or, a lion walking with its right forepaw raised, between three scaling ladders on a white background. The crest is also a boar's head.
- Morris of Catthorpe: This branch is associated with John Walter Morrice of Catthotope Towers in County Leicester. Their coat of arms and crest could not be found.
These are just a few examples of the Morris coat of arms, and there are several other variations with different colours, symbols, and meanings. The coat of arms of each branch of the Morris family would have been unique to that family and would have represented their history and achievements.
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The coat of arms is accompanied by a warrior's helmet, a crest, and a motto
The coat of arms, or armorial achievement, is accompanied by a warrior's helmet, a crest, and a motto.
The helmet, which supports the crest, represents the rank of the owner of the coat of arms. A helmet facing forward with an open visor indicates a knight, while a helmet facing sideways with a closed visor represents a gentleman. The crest is a figure or symbol attached to the top of the helmet, with common choices including lions, tigers, bears, boars, foxes, horses, birds, insects, reptiles, and mythical animals. The positioning of the helmet and the crest it holds can indicate the rank of the owner.
The wreath, originally a piece of twisted silk, is placed at the base of the crest and was used to attach the mantle, or lambrequin, to the helmet. The lambrequin, a piece of fabric attached to the knight's helmet, protected the knight from the sun's heat and is represented in the coat of arms as slashed fabric, indicating that it has been worn in battle.
The motto is a ribbon placed below or over the achievement, carrying a statement of fact, a hope, or a battle cry.
The coat of arms is a symbol of a person's heritage and is often called a "family crest". However, coats of arms are granted to individuals and not to families, and they are passed down from father to son. The symbols on the coat of arms can indicate profession, order of birth, rank, and ancestry.
The Morris coat of arms features various symbols and colours, with meanings that are not always agreed upon by heraldic scholars. The mottoes associated with the Morris family include: "Sic his qui diligent", meaning "Thus to those who love"; "Spectemur agendo", meaning "Let us be viewed by our actions"; and "Pro rege semper", meaning "For the King always".
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Frequently asked questions
The "M" in the Morris coat of arms stands for "Morris," which is the name of the family or individual who owns the coat of arms.
The "O" is short for "of," which is used to indicate possession or ownership. So, the "O" in "Morris" indicates that the coat of arms belongs to the House of Morris.
The "R" stands for "rectitude," which means moral uprightness and adherence to ethical principles. It signifies the honorable and virtuous character of the Morris family.
Yes, the "I" stands for integrity, representing the values of honesty, strong moral principles, and soundness of character embodied by the Morris family.
The "S" is a symbol of strength and solidarity, indicating the unity and resilience of the Morris family.