This ancient Welsh compound personal name "Mawredd", which translates as "the Great Chief", is the origination of this uncommon surname. "Mawredd" is of pre 10th Century origins, but the surname is not apparently recorded until the 17th Century, and then in London. This is a little surprising, as is the fact that since that date the name has appeared in almost every possible spelling form, including Morrid, Morrad, Morad, Moorerud, Moorrud and Mooreed. In fact, between 1671 and 1797 almost every recording shows a different spelling form, with Morrad being, as it were, the ultimate version. These recordings include: Charles Morad, recorded at St. Botolph's Church, Aldgate, London, on December 17th 1773, and as Charles Moorrvd, at the same church on October 11th 1778, whilst John Morrad, who may be a son of Charles, being himself father of triplets, Robert, John and James, christened at St. Matthew's, Bethnal Green, on October 22nd 1797. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Morrid, which was dated February 8th 1637, marriage to Margery Cooke, at St. Gregory's by St. Paul, London, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.