Surname Moreland - Meaning and Origin
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Moreland: What does the surname Moreland mean?
The last name Moreland originates from England and is topographical, given to individuals residing near a moor, marsh, or fen. The term "Moreland" refers to a "moor-land" or marshy area, thus referring to someone who dwelled in or near such an area. The name derived from the Old English elements "mor", a term for marsh or fen, and "land" that denoted territory, property, or area. Therefore, Moreland originally indicated a person living near an extensive waste ground, which was usually overgrown. Throughout history, different variants have emerged, including Morland, Moorland, and Mooreland. In England, people bearing this surname can predominantly be found in regions such as Lancashire, West Riding, and Yorkshire. Like other surnames, it eventually spread to other English-speaking countries, and one can find bearers of the name Moreland in the United States, Australia, and Canada, among others. Therefore, the last name Moreland is characterized by its geographical origin and historical associations with pioneers and settlers in different regions.
Order DNA origin analysisMoreland: Where does the name Moreland come from?
The last name Moreland is primarily perceived as being of English origin. In modern day, it is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
In the United States, the name is most widespread in the Southern states. Moreland is ranked the 1,860th most common surname in the country, making up 0.001% of the population. Most of the individuals with this name tend to be concentrated in Kentucky and Tennessee.
In Canada, Moreland is the 1,186th most common surname, constituting 0.002% of the population. Within the country, the name appears most prominently in Ontario and Manitoba.
In the United Kingdom, the name is ranked 6,908th in terms of prevalence. Evidence of the name can be seen throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the largest clusters located in Gloucestershire, Cumbria, and Essex.
In Australia, the name Moreland is most common in the state of New South Wales. There, it is the 2,314th most common surname, making up 0.001% of the population. Notably, there are several towns and cities in Australia named Moreland.
In conclusion, the last name Moreland is most heavily concentrated in the Southern U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Moreland
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Moreland are Morland, Moriland, Morlande, Morlan, Morlant, Morlente, Morlin, Morlino, Morling, Morlinge, Morlyne, Morlynne, Moryland, Moorland, Morouland, Moureland, Morrand, Morelan, and More attenuated forms include Morelande, Morelant, Morelente, Morelen, Morelind, Morelyne, Morelynn, etc.
Moreland is an English locational surname thought to originate from places called Moreland and Morland in the English counties of Lancashire and Cumberland. The places Morland and Moreland take their name from the Old English words mor meaning "marsh" or "fen" and land meaning "land" in reference to the marshy grounds upon which they are situated.
Many spellings and variants of the surname Moreland are derived from changes in pronunciation over time and by the phonetic or dialectal writing of local speech. Some of the earliest records of the surname Moreland appear in the county of Lancashire with some entries dating back as far as the thirteenth century. Surnames of this type were generally adopted in the Middle Ages when people moved from their original home to another area.
The Moreland variant is found as a family name mostly in the United States of America and is believed to be the Anglicised form of the surnames Moreland and Mallon which are commonly found in Ireland along with the variant Molloy. In Celtic surnames, the termination "'--lan" is used to denote a more remote relationship than "-en".
Variations in spelling of names during the centuries have occurred, due to the continual use of the same spelling by different writers or scribes, or because of the many dialects spoken by different peoples. Variations of the same name can even occur in the same geographical area, making research difficult. In conclusion, it is a testament to the significance of the surname Moreland and its variants across the centuries, as each variation has its own distinct heritage and origin while maintaining its original meaning and famous familial association.
Famous people with the name Moreland
- Paige Moreland:American Idol contestant from the 15th season
- Paul Moreland:professional hockey player who played for the Vegas Golden Knights
- Elizabeth Moreland:film actress known for roles in "Radio Days" and "The Big Sick"
- Cole Moreland:former NFL linebacker who played for the Houston Texans
- Gene Moreland:American jazz musician and composer
- David Moreland:son of legendary jazz musician Duke Ellington
- Michael Moreland:member of the United States Supreme Court bar
- Tracey Moreland:American artist and sculptor
- Thomas Moreland:American playwright and theatre director
- Pete Moreland:three-time Tony Award nominee for best score
- John Moreland:American singer-songwriter
- Joe Moreland:lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band These Machines Are Winning
- Joe Moreland Jr.:American actor best known for his role in the television series "The Sopranos"
- Carly Moreland:actress and singer who starred in Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera"
- Zoë Moreland:British filmmaker and actress
- Chris Moreland:former relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Eric Moreland:NBA player currently playing for the Sacramento Kings
- Nicole Moreland:former Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet
- Shonda Moreland:CEO of the Malawi Red Cross Society
- Sam Moreland:renowned British astrophysicist and professor at Durham University.