Surname Murphree - Meaning and Origin

Murphree: What does the surname Murphree mean?

The surname Murphree is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Murchadha," which translates to "descendant of Murchadh." The name Murchadh itself combines the elements "muir," meaning "sea" and "cadh," meaning "warrior," thus it may suggest the descendant of a sea warrior. This gives the sense that the family's ancestors might have been seafaring warriors and conquerors.

Like many surnames, Murphree would have originated as a way to distinguish between individuals with the same first name, by identifying "which" Murphree, based on their lineage. The variations in spelling over time and geographical region, including Murphy, Morphy, O'Murphy, Murfie, and Murfree, among others, which make tracking genealogical and historical connections a difficult task. Today, the name Murphree is found most prevalently in the United States, specifically in Alabama.

Murphree: Where does the name Murphree come from?

The last name Murphree is most common in the United States. According to the United States census, it ranks as the 5,256th most common surname, with around 6,000 Americans bearing the name.

Most of the Murphrees in the United States trace their family history back to Scotland. It is believed to be a variant of the Scottish surname MacMurphy, derived from the Gaelic name MacMurchadh.

In the last 200 years, Murphrees have spread throughout the United States. According to the 2010 Census, the highest concentrations of Murphrees were in Mississippi and Alabama. Mississippi is also where the Murphree family is thought to have settled, when Richard Murphree and his sons moved to the area in the late 1700s.

Since then, Murphrees have migrated to many areas in the US, but their presence remains strongest in the southeastern states. Other places with large Murphree populations include Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Ohio.

Given its presence throughout the United States and its roots in Scotland, it’s safe to say that the last name Murphree is here to stay.

Variations of the surname Murphree

Murphree is a relatively common surname of Irish and occasionally English origin. Variations on the spelling include Murfree, Murphee, Murfee, Murphey, Murfey, Murphey, Murfie, and Murf. The surname is derived from the Old French given name Murfor, which is derived from the Germanic elements ‘mar’ (fame) and ‘fridu’ (peace).

The Murphree spelling is not limited to a certain region and can be found in many areas of England, Ireland, Scotland, and throughout British North America. In recent years, the Murphree surname has become relatively popular in the United States and Canada.

Variations on the surname Murphree include Murfee, Murphey, Murfie, and others. Surnames that are related to Murphree include MacKerfry, Murfree, Murfrees, Murfreesboro, and McFerran. These surnames likely have their roots in the Murphree family.

The Murphree surname is an interesting and diverse one, with a history that spans many regions. Its variations are varied and reflect the diverse cultures from which the Murphree family descends. Therefore, no matter which way you spell your surname, chances are you have a proud and diverse ancestry.

Famous people with the name Murphree

• Ava Murphree: former Miss America (1935)
• Jeff Murphree: Real Estate Tycoon and a Republican member of the Florida Senate
• William Barnwell Murphree: American lawyer and politician who served as the 36th Governor of Florida
• Jason Murphree: Professional NASCAR driver
• Edward Murphree: Won a Silver Star in World War II and retired from the US Air Force as a Colonel
• Mac Murphree, American tennis player
• Martha Murphree: An American pediatrician.
• Kendra Murphree: Professional horse show jumper.
• John Garland Murphree: American educationalist who served as the third president of the University of Florida
• Art Murphree: American Country Music Singer and Songwriter

Other surnames

Murphrey