Surname Murphy - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking the Historical Depth of the Surname 'Murphy': My Experience with iGENEA's DNA Test

iGENEA’s comprehensive DNA test provided an in-depth exploration of my ancestral roots. Specifically, focusing on my surname Murphy, I discovered ties to the historical Gaelic tribes of Ireland and possibly, the seafaring Vikings. The accuracy of iGENEA's testing process and the detailed information provided by their report deepened my understanding of my heritage.

W. Murphy

Murphy: What does the surname Murphy mean?

The surname Murphy is of Irish origin, resulting from the Gaelic "Ó Murchadha," which can be translated as 'descendant of Murchadh'. The name Murchadh itself comes from two Gaelic elements: "muir," meaning sea, and "cath," meaning battle. This hints at a possible attribute or characteristic of the person, suggesting they may have been sea-warriors. The name is widespread across Ireland, with a higher concentration in the southern part of the country. Like many Irish family names, it has a number of variations in spelling, including Murphey and Murphie; however, Murphy is the most common variant. The Murphy surname ranks as one of the most common names not just in Ireland, but throughout the world, particularly in places with a large Irish diaspora like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Therefore, the last name Murphy carries connotations of strength and valiant combat.

Murphy: Where does the name Murphy come from?

The last name Murphy is actually one of the most common last names in the world.

In the United States, the last name Murphy is the 17th most common, with approximately 300,000 people bearing the name and a concentration in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. In Ireland, Murphy is the 7th most common, with nearly 50,000 people there carrying the name.

In England, Murphy is also quite common with the 55th rank and an estimated 5,000 people bearing the name. Canada also shows signs of it being relatively common with a ranking of 54th with nearly 6,000 people having the Murphy last name.

In Australia, Murphy ranks 35th, with an estimated 15,000 people having the last name across the country. New Zealanders show to be relatively partial to the name, with it being the 27th most popular in the country.

In terms of global rankings for Murphy, in population rich countries, the name is quite common. It ranks 136th in India, 139th in Pakistan, and 156th in China. In Europe, Murphy ranks 65th.

Overall, the surname Murphy is quite common throughout the developed world and especially concentrated throughout western English speaking countries. With the rise of international migration, the last name has gradually dispersed around the world, and is now quite common in Latin, Middle and South America also.

Variations of the surname Murphy

Murphy is an Irish surname that is derived from the given name "Murchadh" meaning “sea warrior." Variants of the surname include Murphey, Murfie and Murfree. Other spellings of the surname are Morfey, Morphey and Morphy. Common derivatives of Murphy include MacMurphy, McMurphy, McMurphey and O'Murphy.

The patronymic surname MacMurchadh, which translates to “son of Murchadh,” is the most widespread variant of Murphy in Ireland. There are many different spellings of this name including MacMurfie, MacMorfey and MacMurfy.

Many variations of the surname have appeared in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Scotland. In Scotland, the most common variant is Murfie, while in Australia there is a higher persistence of the Murfee spelling.

The name is common in the United States and in other parts of the world, having been adopted by many Irish families who emigrated during the 19th century. In the United States common spellings include Murphey, Murphy and Murfree, while the most popular spelling in Canada is Murfie.

Overall, Murphy is a common Irish surname that has a variety of spellings and derivatives located around the world. It is most frequently spelled Murphy, but other forms such as Murfie and MacMorphy are also used actively throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Murphy

• Eddie Murphy: Actor, Comedian, and Singer
• Bridgette Murphy: Professional tennis player
• Beatrice Murphy: Grammy-winning singer
• Anna Murphy: Musician and singer from Switzerland
• Cillian Murphy: Emmy-nominated actor from Ireland
• William L. Murphy: US Senator from Pennsylvania
• Senator Corey Murphy: US Senator from Florida
• Amber Murphy: Professional basketball player
• Aoife Murphy: Professional footballer from Ireland
• Sylvester Murphy: Professional baseball player
• Audie Murphy: WWII Medal of Honor recipient
• Mary Lou Murphy: Award-winning actress
• Sheamus Murphy: Professional wrestler
• Steve Murphy: Musician, songwriter and producer
• Eddy Murphy: Radio host
• Kris Murphy: Voice-Over actor and comedian
• Gary Murphy: Jazz guitarist
• Paul Murphy: TV host and presenter
• Gene Murphy: Olympic athlete
• Denise Murphy: Olympic Athlete

Other surnames

MurpheyMurphreeMurphrey