Surname MacMurphy - Meaning and Origin
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MacMurphy: What does the surname MacMurphy mean?
The surname MacMurphy is an Anglicized form of an Irish Gaelic surname. The name MacMurphy is derived from two different Irish Gaelic surnames; Mac Murchadha and Mac Magnusa. The prefix “Mac” indicates “son of” and “Murphy” is the anglicized form of the Gaelic name Murchadha. The name Murchadha translates literally as “sea hound” or “hound of the sea” which could have several different meanings. It could refer to strength and courage as the hunt of the sea. It could also refer to a seafaring nature which could make a great deal of sense considering the fact that Ireland is an island.
The name “MacMagnusa” is derived from the root word “Mag” which translates to “high”. Combined with the prefix “Mac”, it translates to “son of the high one”. This could mean a noble, powerful ancestor, or possibly someone who was highly esteemed in their community.
In general, the surname MacMurphy means “son of the hound of the sea” or “son of the high one” and could mean strength, courage, and nobility. It is believed to have originated as an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic names Mac Murchadha and Mac Magnusa.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMurphy: Where does the name MacMurphy come from?
The last name MacMurphy is believed to be of Irish origin, specifically originating from the province of Ulster. It is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Donegal and Tyrone.
In America, the name MacMurphy appears to have originated in Rhode Island. The state has the highest concentration of MacMurphys in the United States, and this is likely a result of Irish immigrants settling in the area. Additionally, New York and Massachusetts are also popular states with high populations of MacMurphys.
More recently, the surname MacMurphy can be found in other parts of the world such as Australia and New Zealand. This is likely due to emigrants from Ireland and America seeking a new life in these countries. Similarly, other English-speaking countries like Canada, South Africa, and England also have populations of MacMurphys.
All-in-all, the last name MacMurphy has a lent a long-lasting legacy across the globe. Its popularity increases in many countries, and it is likely to continue to be a common name for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname MacMurphy
The MacMurphy surname is derived from the same Irish root, McMurrough. Variants and other spellings include MacMorrow, MacMurtry, MacMurrogh, MacMurtrie, MacMurrough, MacMurrow, MacMurro, McCormick and McCormac. Other surnames descended from the same root include MacMurtrie, MacMurrish, McMahn and MacMuir.
MacMurphy is an Anglicisation of the earlier Irish surname MacMurchaidh. This name is derived from the Irish Marcaigh, meaning 'skirmisher' or 'soldier'. It is believed that this surname is related to the Uí Máce Murchadha clan of County Kilkenny.
The Uí Máce Murchadha clan was descended from one of the earliest recorded and most powerful Irish Kings, Diarmait mac Murchada. It is thought that the Ui MacMurchadha were part of the Eugenian dynasty and descended from a long line of rulers, beginning with Laoghaire MacNeill and Niall of the Nine Hostages, both Kings of the Ui Neill dynasty in Ireland during the 5th century.
The MacMurphy name may have originated as an occupational name, suggesting that someone from the MacMurchaidh family was a soldier or soldier-like figure in some capacity. There are also references to a 'MacMorffy' clan in the 16th and 17th centuries, who were a large sept of the Máce Murchaidh. It is possible that this sept is the same one belonging to the MacMurphy surname.
Famous people with the name MacMurphy
- Charles MacMurphy: English cricketer and footballer
- Alexander MacMurphy: Scottish sailor and explorer in the 1700s
- John MacMurphy: Scottish economist in the 1800s
- John MacMurphy: American soldier in World War II
- Finley MacMurphy: Art dealer in Scotland in the early 1900s
- Catherine MacMurphy: Award-winning songwriter
- Frank MacMurphy: Award-winning actor
- Jacob MacMurphy: Artist from Ireland in the 1800s
- Griffith MacMurphy: Hollywood producer in the 1930s and 1940s
- Alexander MacMurphy: Artist from Scotland in the 1800s