Surname Morat - Meaning and Origin
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Morat: What does the surname Morat mean?
The surname Morat is of French origin, and it is believed to derive from the Old French word mourre meaning “moor” or “dark one.” This likely refers to someone hailing from a region where many Moorish people lived, as this term is derived from the Arabic word “Mawla” meaning “mixed-race person.” The Moors were Moorish people who descended from the Berbers of North Africa and left an indelible mark on the countries they invaded and inhabited for several centuries. The presence of Morat as a surname in France suggests that it was adopted by a mixed-race individual from the ancient Iberian Peninsula.
Morat is also thought to have an occupational origin. In France, the term was used to refer to a person who tended to a particular kind of horse, the barb or Barb. The barbies were descended from North African and Andalusian horses and were bred to be very swift. The same term is frequently used in French to refer to the combination of certain spices that create the Morat.
For many centuries, the Morat surname has been associated with France, but some sources suggest that it could have come to other European countries as well. It is likely that this surname was spread by French soldiers and other people with connections to France during the various wars and occupations throughout Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The well-known French artist, Marie Antoinette Morat, was born in Paris in 1894 and has been associated with this surname. This illustrates just how deeply entrenched this surname can be in French culture.
Today, Morat is still a relatively common surname in France and a handful of other countries. It is an interesting insight into French culture and provides valuable insight into the Moorish influence on the French language and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMorat: Where does the name Morat come from?
The last name Morat can be found in many countries around the world, primarily in France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. In France, the most well-known place where the name Morat is quite common is the Burgundy region. It is also quite common in the city of Nantes in the north of France. In Spain, it is notable in some parts of Valencia and Islas Baleares. The last name Morat is relatively common in parts of Italy as well, such as Florence, Venice, and the province of Lombardy. In Switzerland, Morat is particularly common in the canton of Fribourg and its surrounding areas.
In the United States, Morat is an uncommon last name, but the population is growing. States where the largest numbers of people bearing the Morat last name reside include California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio. Belgium and Germany are also home to smaller, but nevertheless significant numbers of people with the last name Morat. In Germany, it has been found particularly in the Rheinland-Pfalz, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria regions.
All in all, the last name Morat is found mostly in Western and Central European countries, but it is also becoming increasingly common in certain North American states.
Variations of the surname Morat
The surname Morat has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin which can be traced back to various parts of Europe.
The German variant of this surname is Morath, which originates from the Middle High German phrase, Moerathin, meaning someone from the region of Morat, which is now in modern-day Switzerland. The French equivalent of this surname is Morat, which is derived from the Middle French phrase, Moratit, meaning inhabitant of Morat. The Spanish variant is Morato, which derives from the Old Spanish phrase, Murat, meaning ‘realm’. Meanwhile, the Italian form is Moratti, which is derived from the Sicilian-Italian phrase, Muratisi, also referring to someone from the region of Morat.
This surname has also been anglicized to a number of other forms in various English-speaking countries. In the United States, a version of this surname has been adapted to Moret and Mourat, which are both derived from the French variants. In Britain, a similar version was modified to become Mourat or Murat. In Ireland, a distinct version was developed to Murtagh. Finally, in Canada, it was anglicized to become Moorat and Merat.
In sum, Morat has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that derive from a region within Switzerland as well as being adapted to different English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Morat
1.Vanessa Morat: a Spanish model, the daughter of famous painter Fernando Morat. 2.Roberto Morat: a Spanish football player, who currently plays for FC Barcelona B. 3.Horacio Morat: a Spanish actor and director, best known for his roles in the television series Al fondo hay sitio. 4.Christian Morat: a Swiss professional ice hockey player who currently plays with Genève-Servette HC in the Swiss National League (NL). 5.Camilo Morat: a Colombian diplomat, professor, and the former Ambassador of Colombia to the United Kingdom. 6.Philippe Morat: a French physicist and the founder of Groupe Unilog, a French software company. 7.Agustín Morat: an Argentine politician and lawyer who served as mayor of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. 8.Miljan Morat: a Bosnian footballer who currently plays for FC Arges. 9.Javier Morat: a Spanish actor and director who has acted in films like El Fantasma de la Opera and Plaza de las Estrellas. 10.Jorge Morat: an Argentinian architect and urban planner.