Surname Murdock - Meaning and Origin
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Murdock: What does the surname Murdock mean?
Murdock is a surname with roots in Scotland, specifically derived from the ancient Pictish and Gaelic clans of the region. The name translates to "sea warrior" or "protector of the sea", consisting of two ancient Gaelic words, "muir" which means "sea" and "cu" which means "dog". It was usually assigned to someone who was a sailor, showing their affinity and connection with the sea. Also, it implied the qualities of being faithful, protective and strong, much like a dog protecting its territory. Some versions also attribute the name to derive from the Gaelic form 'Murchadh' or Murdo, which means "sea protector". The name has evolved into many variations and spellings over the centuries including Murdoch, Murdo, Murdagh, Murdie, etc. Hence, the surname Murdock historically signified a person who loved the sea or whose livelihood or courage was closely tied with the sea.
Order DNA origin analysisMurdock: Where does the name Murdock come from?
The last name Murdock is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, especially Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia. In England, it is mainly found throughout the Midlands region, with localised hotspots in Thames Valley, the North West and East Anglia.
In Scotland, Murdock is most frequent in southeastern areas, especially in East Kilbride and Paisley. In Ireland, it is found in Belfast, Cork and Dublin.
In the US, Murdock is present in all 50 states, although with sizeable concentrations in California, Texas and Ohio. In Canada, it is particularly common in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In Australia, Murdock is most common in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
The Murdock name originated as an English and Scottish surname and was usually used to describe a servant or porter, as it translates to ‘murder’s dock’ – the dock of a murderer. The name has continued to be popular throughout the centuries due to its strong linguistic roots and easy pronunciation.
Variations of the surname Murdock
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Murdock include: Murdoch, Murdoc, Murtagh, MacMurdo, Murdie, Murdakis, MacMurdoch, Murdocq, McCurdock, Murdick, Murdockall, Murdieck, Murdiecks, Murdiek, Murdo, Murdockall, Murtoc, Murtaugh, Murtaghs, and Murtok.
The surname Murdock has its roots in the ancient Irish and Scottish clan MacMurdo (also written as MacMurdoch, McCurdock, or Murdieck). It is a Scottish Gaelic patronymic surname derived from the personal name Murchadh, or Murdoch, which is a Gaelic version of the name Merton, meaning “sea warrior”.
The Scottish branch of the name is derived from the Galwegian clan MacMurdoch. This family, originally from the MacMurdoch lands of Lamontshire, is historically connected to the large and powerful McDougall (also known as Wallace), MacSweeney, and MacLaren clans on the Scottish western coast.
In Ireland, the variant spelling Murtagh (or Murtaugh) is associated with a number of different ancient family clans that trace their ancestry back to the old Irish clan MacMurchadha. This family, originating from County Leitrim, is associated with the O'Connor, O'Rourke, O'Reilly, and McGovern clans.
The name Murdock is commonly found within the United States, particularly in the Southwestern states, where many families of Scottish, Irish, and English origin settled during the mid-19th to early-20th century period of immigration.
In recent times, the Murdock surname has become increasingly rare, whilst its variants and alternate spelling are more common. As such, it is likely that the name will continue to be found in the form of variant spellings in years to come.
Famous people with the name Murdock
- Patrick Murdock: Professional soccer player for Swansea City AFC and the Welsh national team.
- Adam Murdock: Drummer for the punk rock band The Suicide Machines.
- Gail Murdock: Actress best known for her role in the long-running CBS series Dallas.
- Ewan Murdock: Vocalist and songwriter in the Scottish rock band Goodbye Mr Mackenzie.
- Chris Murdock: Bassist of American Metalcore band As I Lay Dying.
- Melinda Murdock: Country singer-songwriter with several charting singles.
- Christopher Murdock: Award-winning violinist and professor at Uxbridge College.
- Peter Murdock: American film and television actor who appeared in dozens of projects.
- Marie Murdock: Broadway actress who starred in productions like The Mystery in Dodger Stadium in 1977.
- Glenn Murdock: Actor best known for his roles in the Cat People and Trance film series.