engine serial numbers
 

Is there any way of checking the serial number on a motor and finding out the history of the car it came from?

Yea, the serial number on the car matches the number on the engine out of the factory.
It will tell you the history of the car
It might have been a block bought from honda though.
Carfax will allow you to check and see if there are records on the vin for free.
If there are records, it was probably in a car, and it will tell you where the car is now, or who owned it.
( good for prank calls) "Is your engine running?, NO?
"It was when you ran into that house"

Do not be shocked if this is not the case. I believe the engine and chassis come down different lines and are matched up at the end. You may have a different VIN between the two. If so, car history will be based on chassis VIN. Honda would likely be the only source of history for a shortblock to see if actually did come from a different car.