[2][3] While the Highland Clan Morrison derives from Mac Ghille Mhoire, or servants of Mary, the lowland Clan Morrison Society of Scotland, registered their arms featuring three Moor heads in 1919, demonstrating the symbolic similarity between all these families.
Historical evidence suggests many early surnames in Scotland were nuanced and altered by such simple devices as phonetic interpretations by religious scribes.
[7] Alexander Morison (Heraldry of the Clan MacGhille-mhuire) makes the statement that the name is from ancestors who were vassals or adherents of the jarls of More or Moeri in Norway.
[9] Some fifty years later in Scotland there is a Morrison recorded as "Arthuro Morison domino de Darleith" being a witness to the "Resignation by John MacRoger of Gleane MacKerne, in favour of John of Culquoune of Luss, of Gleane Mackecherne, etc.
Following the gradual introduction of surnames in England, Scotland and Ireland many names such as Mirryson, Mirrison, Morisson, Morisone, Morrieson, Morriceson, Morason, Moorison, Mooresone, Morisoun, Moresoun, Murison, Muirison, Murieson, Murrison, Muresoun, Muirsoun and no doubt many other phonetic synonyms or Anglicised adaptations evolved and were standardised to become Morrison, Morison or Murison.