Surname Meurdock - Meaning and Origin
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Meurdock: What does the surname Meurdock mean?
The last name Meurdock is an Anglicized version of the old Irish Gaelic name Mac Murchadha. It is typically pronounced “mur-dock,” although various spellings exist. Historically, the Mac Murchadha name is associated with clans, or extended families, who lived in the Barony of Orior in County Armagh, Northern Ireland in the late 1500s and early 1600s.
The original Gaelic name Mac Murchadha roughly translates to “space of the sea” or “servant of the sea.” Although scholars do not have concrete evidence to determine the etymology, the name likely references an ancestor who was a seafarer or lived near a large body of water.
The Meurdock surname is relatively rare among modern day populations. A few hundred families have been found in Northern Ireland, England, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, the Meurdock name has established roots in a handful of other countries around the world.
Overall, the Meurdock name is a remembrance of a seafaring, heroic ancestor who sailed the waves hundreds of years ago. Its unique spelling is a testament of a past that should continue to be recognized in generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMeurdock: Where does the name Meurdock come from?
The last name Meurdock is most commonly seen in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern and Southern regions. It originates from Germany, and is likely a variant of this spelling found in France.
The earliest origins of the surname are likely linked to the Meurdoc family, who were a prominent knightly family in Basse-Normandie during the 17th century. They had substantial land holdings in the region and can trace their ancestry back to a Gilbert Meurdoc, who traveled to France from Germany around the late 16th century.
Today, people with the last name Meurdock can be found in many states across the US, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. As well as these states, the name can also be found in other countries, primarily in the countries that make up the British Commonwealth, including Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The surname has also been found in other parts of the world, particularly in Mexico, as well as a number of European countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands. However, it is much less common outside of the US.
Variations of the surname Meurdock
The surname Meurdock has its origin in the ancient Scottish and Irish Gaelic language. It is derived from the Gaelic words "maor" which means "bailiff" and "dubh" which means "black". The result is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name, Márdubh, which literally translates to "black bailiff". Due to the Anglicization process, this surname has evolved to become Meurdock, Murdock, MacMurduch, MacMurdoch, MacMuirdeach, Murdish and MacMuroch.
Meurdock is a common spelling of the surname in the U.S., and is also the preferred spelling in the UK. However, the variant spellings Murdock, MacMurduch, and MacMurdoch may be more common in Scotland.
Variations of this surname occur among other ethnicities as well. For examples, Murichi in India is derived from Meurdock, as is Murithi in East Africa.
The surnames MacMuirdeach and MacMuroch are also derived from the same origin. MacMuirdeach may refer to Scottish and Irish families who are landowners, with MacMuroch originating as an Ulster variant spelling.
Despite its various spellings, Murdish, MacMurduch, MacMurdoch, MacMuirdeach, Murdock, and Meurdock all point to the same Gaelic ancestry. It was likely a surname used to identify a person who held the title of "bailiff" in medieval Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name Meurdock
- Andy Meurdock: an American professional skateboarder and musician, he is known for being the first signee of Birdhouse, a professional skate team.
- Chris Meurdock: an Australian rules football player, he was the first player to kick 1000 goals in the AFL, winning the Jack Dyer Medal in 1999.
- Dan Meurdock: an American basketball player, who played for the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets in the NBA.
- Dave Meurdock: an American stock car racing driver who competed as an independent and raced multiple times in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
- Gladys Meurdock: an English-born American actress, best known for her roles in films such as Anastasia and The Birds.
- John Meurdock: an American actor, who appeared in a variety of films such as The Bodyguard, What Dreams May Come and A Christmas Carol.
- Nathan Meurdock: an American pro-challenge rider/cyclist, he has won multiple races and was a three-time winner of the Tour of Nantou.
- Rupert Meurdock: a British actor, known for his roles in Alice in Wonderland, Notes on a Scandal and The Tudors.
- William Meurdock: an American playwright and screenwriter, best known for his work on the TV shows St. Elsewhere, Muppets Tonight and Dream On.
- Wendy Meurdock: an American author and poet, best known for her children's book series, such as Puzzle Mary and Big Fish.