Morice

Morice is a name used as both a surname and, less commonly, a given name. It is commonly treated as a variant of Maurice, a name that traces to the Latin Mauritius and has historical associations with saints, rulers, and figures in medieval and early modern Europe. The spelling Morice reflects phonetic and orthographic variation found in English- and French-language records.

As a surname, Morice appears in European and North American records from the medieval period onward. In English- and French-speaking regions, it has been borne by people across a range of roles, including clerical, civic, and commercial contexts. In some genealogical sources, Morice is also encountered as a given name, particularly in earlier centuries when traditional classical naming patterns were common.

In geography and toponymy, Morice appears in the names of places and features in parts of the English-speaking world. Canadian and British toponymy, for example, includes examples where the Morice name reflects historical associations with local landholders, explorers, or clergy who bore the surname.

Today Morice remains relatively uncommon as a forename but endures as a surname in many countries. It is frequently encountered in historical records, genealogical research, and studies of name etymology. Related forms include Maurice and Moritz, along with other language variants of the same root.

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