Back in 1978 when I was just 8 years old my Grandfather gave me a copy of the family tree he researched for his mother Catherine MORNIN. The first page of it is below and as you can see it contains no places. I still have the full tree which today has been updated and sourced as much as possible. It is this tree that will form the starting point for the study.

For over 20 years I have known of two other branches of MORNIN(G)'s (the spelling varies constantly in early records) and attempts have been made with others to connect the branches. Hypotheses have been created based on known facts but as yet no final definitive link has been found.

This study will start in Ireland (my Mornin's were from the North near the Giants Causeway) looking at all occurrences regardless of religion which has not been done before.  Previously, as the family were always Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian or Brethren (changes frequently) the records in the South which are predominantly Catholic have been ignored. 

The study will then move to Scotland where the 2nd known branch settled along with members of my branch. After Scotland it will be England & Wales where there are less to be found.

The USA is where the 3rd known branch settled so this will be the next location.  Other locations where descendants of the Irish MORNIN(G)'s settled are Canada & New Zealand. The rest of the World will follow.

MORNIN

This is the registered name as it is the spelling that my ancestors favoured.

MORNING

This variant is in Ireland interchangeable with MORNIN but the main spelling found in the USA.

MORNAN

This is a variant found occasionally in records but for one branch that emigrated from Northern Ireland it became the name used by their descendants today.

In Scotland the MORNIN families from Ireland are sometimes recorded as MORROW or MURRAY, why is unknown. MORAN was the surname on my Great Grandmother Catherine MORNIN's marriage certificate and needs to be watched for.

As of 30th November 2024 the origin of the name is still unknown.

As of 30th November 2024 the earliest known record is for Adam MORNING in Ballyaghran, Coleraine, Londonderry found in the list of 1740 Protestant Householders.

20 Jan 2025: A DNA Project is now live and in its early days.

Mornin One-Name Study Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/morninons/

DNA Project: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/mornin/

Study Website: https://mornin.one-name-mwp1.net/index.php