Morton - a Douglas sept

The family name Morton is believed to be descendent originally from the Norman race. The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Later, about 940 A.D. under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France. The French King, Charles the Simple, became first Duke of Normandy. Duke William, who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

After the Conquest, Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086; it became known as the Domesday Book. By 1070, William’s nobles were growing restive and dissatisfied with their grants of land. William took an army north and laid waste most of the northern countries. King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland offered refuge to these nobles, granting them land. Later, (about 1160), King David also encouraged his Norman friends to come north to join the royal court and obtain lands.

Not to be confused with:
The Earls of Morton
The Douglases of Morton Castle