The Founding Lines
Most Morrill, Morrell, Morrel, and Morrall family members in
North America descend from one of the following five genetically distinct
immigrant ancestors:
Abraham Morrill
Salisbury, Massachusetts
The Salisbury line, and the most documented. His descendants include Gov. David L. Morrill (N.H.) and Rep. Justin Smith Morrill (Vt.), author of the Morrill Land-Grant Act.
John Morrell
Kittery, Maine
An early Maine line whose descendants spread north along the New England coast and into the Maritimes.
Thomas Morrell
Long Island, New York
The Long Island line, rooted in the early Dutch and English settlements of New York.
James Morrell
New Brunswick
A nineteenth-century line documented through vital and church records.
Reece V. Morrel
South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
A southern line carrying the shorter “Morrel” spelling westward.