Morcant

Morcant is an Old Welsh masculine name, the original form of the later Morgan. Its etymology is often traced to Welsh mor 'sea' and cant 'circle', though some scholars suggest a derivation from mor and the suffix gen 'born of', as proposed for the Arthurian figure Morgan le Fay. The name Morcant was used in early medieval northern Britain, notably by historical figures such as Morcant Bulc, a 6th-century Brythonic prince.

Historical Figure

Morcant Bulc, recorded in Old Welsh genealogies and in the writings of Nennius, is the most prominent bearer of this name. He was a king active in the region known as the Hen Ogledd (the 'Old North'), contemporary with the Saxon rise. His kingdom may have been part of the Gododdin, Alt Clut (Strathclyde), or Bryneich—areas now in Scotland and northern England. Morcant Bulc is sometimes identified with King Morken, the antagonist of St. Kentigern, and with other figures such as the king Morcant who expelled that saint from his territory. Little else is known of his life, but his name appears consistently in traditions that link him to the Brittonic resistance.

Cultural Significance

The name Morcant is the direct ancestor of the modern name Morgan, which in English often has a feminine association due to the wizard Morgan le Fay from Arthurian legend. However, Morcant itself remained a male name in the early medieval period. Today, it is rarely used as a given name except among enthusiasts of Celtic and historical names.

• Meaning: 'sea circle' or 'born of the sea'
• Origin: Old Welsh
• Type: Given name (masculine)
• Notable bearer: Morcant Bulc, 6th-century Brythonic king