Surname MacMurdo - Meaning and Origin
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MacMurdo: What does the surname MacMurdo mean?
The last name MacMurdo is an anglicized version of the Scottish surname MacMhuirich, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Murchadh. This name combines the elements muir, meaning "sea" or "steward", and cath, meaning "warrior" or "lord". The original spelling of the name was MacMhuirich, meaning "Son of Steward".
Over time, the name developed various variants, including MacMurdo, MacMurrough, Moure, Murrie and Murray. It is believed to have originally been used as a surname by a line of stewards who served the Hebridean clan of McLeod, a powerful clan in the highlands and western isles.
The various versions of the name can still be found throughout Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, where it is a relatively common surname. It is also found among people of Scottish descent in Canada, Australia, the United States and other countries.
Members of the MacMurdo clan are known to have made their mark in many fields, from politics to international finance. This is perhaps a testament to their willingness to take on difficult responsibilities and difficult tasks, a trait that seems to be part of the character of the clan.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMurdo: Where does the name MacMurdo come from?
The last name MacMurdo is not a particularly common surname today, though it does have a long and rich history. It is a name of Scottish origin, dating back to the 12th century, when it first appeared in various regions within Scotland.
The name would have been derived from the Gaelic "MacMuirdich" meaning "Son of Murdoch," with its root Murdoch coming from a pre 9th century Scottish personal name derived from "Murchadh," which in turn was derived from the Gaelic "Muir" meaning "Sea" and "Cadha" meaning "Warrior."
Over time, the surname spread from Scotland to other parts of Great Britain, such as England, Wales, and Ireland, and even further abroad to other parts of the British Empire such as Canada and the United States.
Currently, the name MacMurdo is relatively rare in Great Britain, though still found in areas of Scotland. It is more common in North America, due to the waves of immigrants from the UK over hundreds of years.
The surname is carried by several notable public figures in North America, including Dr. Alan MacMurdo, Chief Technology Officer at Synopsys, and William J. MacMurdo, Deputy Commander at the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Variations of the surname MacMurdo
The MacMurdo surname is derived from the Ancient Gaelic name Mac Murchaidh, which means “son of Murdoch”. The surnames that are linked to the name MacMurdo are MacMurdie, MacMurduff, MacMurrie, MacMurrough, and MacMurtry. The variants and spellings of the name include MacMorda, MacMorter, MacMourtry, MacMowrty, Mac Mortagh, and MacMurtagh.
The MacMurdo surname is mainly found throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the British Isles. In Scotland, the surnames MacMurdo and MacMurrie are found mainly in the Eastern and Central Lowlands, as well as the Northern Highlands. In Ireland, the name is most commonly found in areas such as Dublin, Ulster, and Wexford, as well as in some parts of Leinster.
In addition, there are variants of the MacMurdo surname that are ancestral to families of English, Dutch and French descent. These variants include Murdock, Murdoch, Murtagh, Murtaugh, Murtaugh, Murtha, and Morthy. Some other variants of the name are MacMurdock, MacMurdoch, and MacMurtry.
Overall, the MacMurdo surname is a very old and historic name, with many variants and spellings that can be found throughout the British Isles and beyond. It is considered an extremely powerful and noble name, and is likely to be very familiar to many people.
Famous people with the name MacMurdo
- Brendan MacMurdo, a British field hockey player.
- Martin MacMurdo, a Canadian actor and producer who's acted in various films and television shows.
- Catharine MacMurdo, a Canadian lawyer and former judge.
- Gil MacMurdo, a former Royal Canadian Navy Officer.
- Joe MacMurdo, a retired professional hockey player.
- Sheena MacMurdo, a Canadian chef living and working in England.
- Jamie MacMurdo, a British tv actor.
- Barbara MacMurdo, a Canadian artist, actor, and theatre director.
- Will MacMurdo, an American entrepreneur and founder of the MacMurdo Group.
- David MacMurdo, an American actor best known for his roles on the soap operas General Hospital and Days of Our Lives.