Morcar was the son of Earngrim, according to
John of Worcester, and his brother was
Sigeferth. He was mentioned in the will of
Wulfric Spot, brother of
Ælfhelm and son of
Wulfrun. In 1004, when Wulfric died, he made Morcar a major beneficiary, along with
Burton Abbey and Ælfhelm. Morcar was a king's thegn (Latin
minister) in 1009 when King Æthelred the Unready issued a charter, in which he gave lands to his
minister Morcar. This land was given to Morcar, the King's chief minister, and he was given rights that were normally reserved for the King alone. He was given the responsibility for all types of justice and exemption from the
Trinoda necessitas. The threefold tax of Trinoda necessitas usually required an obligation on the land to surrender soldiers, to repair fortifications, and to repair bridges. Morcar alone could decide a fate of life or death without the need of the authority of the King or his sheriff. Morcar was given further lands in Derbyshire. In 1011, he was given five hides at what was possibly
Mickleover and in 1012, two more at Eckington. ==Death==