Surname Mcmurry - Meaning and Origin
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Mcmurry: What does the surname Mcmurry mean?
The surname McMurry has its origins in Scotland, where it is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacMhuiris. It translates to “son of Muris”, a name of uncertain origin. It may be derived from the Gaelic word “muiriseach” meaning “seaworthy”, or perhaps a contraction of the personal names “Muir”, meaning “dweller/inhabitant by the sea” and “Eris” meaning “branch”, so signifying a person who was a newcomer to the area.
The surname McMurry is most widespread in the present day in Northern Ireland. It is believed to have been used by settlers from Scotland, migrants from the north of Ireland who sought employment in Scotland during the 19th century, and later by immigrants from Scotland in search of a better life in the USA.
Recorded as MacMurry, McMurray and McMurray, this well recorded surname was first noted by Symon de Corbet around 1120, when he made a claim to his inheritance in County Fermanagh in Ireland. This claim was made in the “Chartularies of St. Mary of Furness, Co. Lancaster” and he was recorded as “McMury Maghada”, denoting his place of origin being “the Plain of Macha”.
A notable bearer of the McMurry name was the Reverend William J. McMurry (1863–1948), an American Presbyterian minister and poet. William was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Miami, Florida, in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Due to its Gaelic origins, the surname McMurry has a strong connection to Scotland and Ireland. It is likely that most bearers of the name can trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle, and the connection can be seen with the various spellings of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMcmurry: Where does the name Mcmurry come from?
Today, the last name McMurry is most commonly found in the United States of America, with nearly 9,000 individuals presently sharing the name. It is primarily concentrated throughout the southern, western, and mountain states, particularly in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Utah – though it does appear sporadically throughout the nation as a whole, suggesting that the original bearers of the name likely traveled westward after its initial emergence.
Most sources trace back the McMurry line to early settlers in the British Isles, though the precise country of origin differs depending on the particular branch. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic “Mac muireach”, meaning “son of Muireach”, though this is also open to debate. The prevalent hypothesis today is that a blend of ice-age and post-ice-age migration spread the McMurry surname throughout Europe in the intervening centuries, and ultimately to the colonies in the New World.
It also appears to have gained significant exposure in recent years due to its prominent association with the McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. The university was founded in 1923 and named for James L. McMurry, an influential and well-respected figure who used his fortune to fund higher education opportunities in the surrounding community. Consequently, individuals may now recognize the McMurry name from the university, creating a greater familiarity which may have contributed to its increased prevalence within the United States.
Variations of the surname Mcmurry
McMurry is an anglicized version of the Irish-Gaelic surname Mac Muireadhaigh (which translates to son of Muireadhach). This surname, throughout history, enjoyed significant respect and recognition among members of the clan.
Variations of McMurry include MacMurry, MacMurraigh, MacMURRAY, McMerrey, McMurre, McMurrey, McMurrie, and McCurry. Other notable variant spellings, derived from the original version, are MacMuirrey, MacMuire, MacMurrow, and MacMurry.
The MacMuireadhaigh surname has been impacted by regional dialectic and phonetic appurtenance over the generations, making it possible for families today to have MacMuireadhaigh surnames with a wide selection of spellings, ranging from McMurryty to McMerrey. Another common variation, especially among the United States Irish diaspora, is McMurry.
McMurry also has affinity surnames, i.e. surnames that are similar in origin and/or composition. Such surnames include MacMulvey, MacMurtry, MacMurphy, Muirhead, and Murform. Some of these have their own individual spelling variants and are popular surnames in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States to this day.
In summary, the surname McMurry is an anglicized version of the Irish-Gaelic surname Mac Muireadhaigh, with a wide selection of spelling variants and affinity surnames.
Famous people with the name Mcmurry
- Mike McMurry: American professional soccer player.
- Mickey McMurry: American football coach.
- Jamie McMurry: American singer-songwriter and actor.
- Kathleen McMurry: American professional dancer.
- Brien McMurray: Canadian actor.
- John McMurry: American chemist and professor.
- Sheila McMurry: American tap dancer and choreographer.
- Robert McMurray: American anthropologist and professor.
- Dennis McMurray: American basketball player.
- Sam McMurray: American actor, comedian and voice actor.