Clan Morrison
Clan Morrison is a highland and lowland Scottish Clan that is believe to have originated in the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The name Morrison is derived from Mac Ghille Mhoire, which translates into “son of a servant of the Virgin Mary”. According to legend the Morrison Clan can trace their beginning back to Olaf the Black, a 13th century viking. Olaf’s ship was shipwrecked off the coast of the Island of lewis, Olaf’s family and crew made their way to shore where they established a colony among the existing inhabitants. Olaf’s son, GilleMhuire, married into Clan Gow becoming the owner of the Gow’s land holdings in the Hebrides.
The clan motto is Teaghlach Phabbay, which translates into “Family of Pabbay”, and the clan’s crest features an arm grasping a dagger, reaching from a castle wall, surrounded by the waves of the sea.
The historic seat of the Morrison’s of the Hebrides was Dùn Èistean, on the north point of the Isle of Lewis, this castle was built sometime in the early 13th century and was held by the Morrisons until 1613. All that remains of the ancient castle is the ruins of two large buildings along with inter-connect cellar structures. The Morrison Clan society purchased Dùn Èistean from a London property company and transferred the ownership to the clan’s chief. The historic seat of the mainland branch of the Morrison family was Bognie Castle located near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. The Castle was constructed in the late 17th century by the clan but was never inhabited. The castle is now a scheduled Scottish ancient monument.
The Morrison Clan society was formed in 1909 in Scotland with the purpose to find the hereditary chief of the clan. In 1965 John Morrison of Ruchdi was recognized as chief of the Morrison Clan. At the time they could not located any descendants from some of the other lines of the clan so it was decided that other chief could be recognized in time but they would be under Morrison of Ruchdi.
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