A surname derived from the Old-
French word for "Dark Skinned." A very old name, with some of the more prominent
French owners living in the region of Picardy in 900 AD. It was a term of endearment, as in "Look at that
handsome, productive dark person." However, most of the owners of this particular surname today are decidedly
white in complexion. It's an alternate spelling of Morneau, which is itself an alternate spelling of Morineau, which upon itself is a diminutive of the Germanic surname, More. All of these surnames mean the same thing. In fact, the word "More" was even used when describing a dark cloth. The origin is thought to stem from the identification of the Moors, who were a mixed population of people who had immigrated from western north
Africa. Though today many of the Moors are members of the nation of Islam, the words More and Morineau were in use far before the start of the Muslim religion. Many people with this name live in
Canada and the US, however, there are small populations living in such diverse locations as even Switzerland and Japan, if you can believe that. Japanese citizens with
French last names...crazy stuff.
