Surname MacMurray - Meaning and Origin
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MacMurray: What does the surname MacMurray mean?
The last name MacMurray originated from the Scottish/Irish Gaelic surname MacMhurich, which translates to “Son of the Sea”. The “Mac” prefix reflects the patronymic naming system common in Gaelic cultures, wherein sons take the name of their father; in this case, “Mac” meaning “son of”.
The name MacMurray itself can refer to different branches of the family, with varying spellings found across different parts of Scotland and Ireland in the form of MacMurray, McMorran, MacMorran, McMorrow, and MacMorrough. The different spellings point to the evolution of the clan name, with the original form being MacMhurich.
The MacMurray surname spread to other countries, such as the United States, in the 18th and 19th centuries through immigration. In Scotland and Ireland, MacMurray’s were widespread and could be found in parts of Ulster, Fife, Glasgow, and even some parts of Edinburgh.
To this day, MacMurray’s are a proud and well-known branch of the Scottish and Irish clans, holding strong onto the heritage and culture of the Gaelic past. The name is still alive and well, with thousands of MacMurray’s scattered around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMurray: Where does the name MacMurray come from?
The MacMurray surname is predominantly found in Scotland, Ireland and various locations in the United Kingdom such as England, Wales, and the Channel Islands. Outside of the UK, it is also found in various regions in the United States. In the United States, the surname MacMurray is most commonly found in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was one of the first locations for the MacMurray surname in North America. James MacMurray was born in Scotland in 1620 and immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in October of 1645 with his family. After arriving in the colony, he settled in Watertown with his family and eventually gained prominence in the town for his work in constructing sawmills and being an active participant in the community.
From Watertown, the MacMurray surname has spread all across the United States. With the Industrial Revolution, some members of the MacMurray family moved to various states in search of opportunity. Therefore, today it is a common surname all across the United States, though it is still more commonly found in the New England area.
Variations of the surname MacMurray
The surname MacMurray is an anglicized form of the Irish-Gaelic name Mac Muireadhaigh, meaning "son of Muireadhach." Other variants of this surname include MacMurry, MacMurrey, MacMura, MacMure, Mure Mac Murray, and McMurrie.
MacMurray is closely related to the name 'Murray' and many individuals who bear this surname may have descended from the Scots who migrated to Ireland. The surname 'Murray' is derived from the Gaelic word 'Mac Mhuirich.' In modern Irish, this name translates to 'son of a sea warrior' or 'sea lord.'
At times, the surname 'Murray' was also anglicized to 'Moriarity' or O'Moriarty, which referred to a particular clan. In addition, the name 'Murray' has also been changed to 'Muriarty' or 'Morrissey.'
The name MacMurray is most commonly found in areas of Ireland such as County Sligo, County Longford, and County Galway. It is also widespread among Scotland and is especially common in the Scottish Lowlands as well as the Isle of Lewis.
In the United States, the surname 'MacMurray' is found primarily in the states of California, New York, and New Jersey. The highest concentrations of this surname are in New York, California, and Pennsylvania.
Considering the variations and spellings of the surname MacMurray, individuals that bear this surname are likely to be related in some way. The multitude of variants, spellings and surnames reflect the adaptation of the name to different regions and historical contexts.
Famous people with the name MacMurray
- Fred MacMurray: actor best known for his starring role in the 1950s television sitcom My Three Sons.
- Andrea MacMurray: Canadian Olympic swimmer and world record-setter.
- Jan MacMurray: creator and performer of the one-woman show How to Survive a Heartbreak
- Jann MacMurray: American comedian, visual artist, painter and world-traveler
- John MacMurray: New Zealand poet and novelist who wrote several short stories and novellas
- Robb MacMurray: Aboriginal Canadian singer, songwriter, actor and multi-instrumentalist
- William MacMurray: American landscape painter and printmaker who was a part of the Hudson River School
- Sarah MacMurray: Canadian Paralympian in powerlifting and discus who won a bronze medal for Canada in the 2004 Summer Paralympics
- Thomas MacMurray: Irish footballer who currently plays for Bohemian F.C.
- Gideon MacMurray: son of John and Sarah MacMurray who founded the Gideon MacMurray Literary Trust to support veterans and their families.