Surname Murphey - Meaning and Origin

Murphey: What does the surname Murphey mean?

The last name Murphey is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "Murchadh", which means "sea warrior" or "sea battler". It is composed of the elements "muir", meaning sea, and "cadh", meaning warrior. This surname was likely originally a nickname for a sea-faring warrior or an individual who displayed valor in maritime battles. The first bearers of this name were said to have been seafarers who conducted naval raids on the coast of England before the 10th century. While the spelling of the name can vary greatly including forms like Murphy, Morphy, and Morphew, Murphey remains a common variation, particularly in the United States. Like many surnames that originated from nicknames, it has become a family name passed down through the generations.

Murphey: Where does the name Murphey come from?

The last name Murphy is quite common today, with it being the most common Irish surname and the second most common name in all of Ireland. Outside of Ireland, it is also a very popular name. It is particularly popular in the United States, where it is the 24th most common surname. It is particularly common in states like Massachusetts, where it is the 8th most popular surname, Rhode Island (9th) and New Jersey (12th). It is also popular in Canada, with it being the 14th most popular surname overall and the 7th most popular surname in the province of Quebec. As well, it is a popular name in Great Britain, where it is the 36th most popular surname. In Australia it is the 40th most popular surname and in New Zealand it is the 18th most popular surname. In other parts of the world, such as the Caribbean, Murphy is also a fairly common surname.

Variations of the surname Murphey

The surname Murphey has a few variant spellings over time including; Murfey, Murfie, Murfee, Murf, Murphy and Murphey. The main spelling being Murphey, is an Anglicized form of the name Ó Murchadha, which is an Irish surname. This Irish surname translates to the meaning of “lord of the sea”, due to the Irish family lineage descending from the Uí Murchada of Clann Déssi, which was a prominent family located in County Cork and County Waterford.

The Murphey surname can be found in both Ireland and the US. In Ireland Murphey is spelled as Murfey, Murphey or Murphy, and in America it is spelled as Murfie, Murfee, Murf, Murphey, and the most common spellings of Murphy. The most likely variant of this surname is probably Murphy, which is also the most common spelling of the Murphey surname in America.

The surname Murphey most likely originated in Ireland, where it adapted over time to the variant spellings derived from the Irish Ó Murchadha. Its prominence in the US is probably due to the large influx of Irish immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries because of the potato famine.

In America the surname Murphey can be linked to several prominent historical figures, such as James Murfey (1791-1872), a US congressman and pioneer of early Kentucky statehood. Additionally, Langhorn Murfee (1780-1871) was a civic leader and member of the United States House of Representatives.

All in all, there are several variant spellings for the surname Murphey. The most popular variant spellings are Murfey, Murfie, Murfee, Murf, Murphy and Murphey with some of the most common variants being Murphy and Murphey. This Angloized form of the Irish Ó Murchadha was adapted by Irish immigrants who migrated to America during the 19th and 20th centuries and eventually spread to various parts of the US. The surname Murphey is linked to several prominent historical figures around the world.

Famous people with the name Murphey

• Billy Ray Cyrus: An American singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist. He is known for his 1992 single "Achy Breaky Heart", which became the first single ever to achieve triple Platinum status in Australia.
• Bette Midler: An American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and film producer. She is the recipient of several awards, including four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, and a special Tony Award.
• Sandi Patty: An American singer, author, and actress. She has released 31 albums and has had four Grammy-winning and eight additional Grammy-nominated albums, three platinum records, and five gold records.
• Emily Murphey: An American actress, best known for her roles on Veronica Mars, Grey's Anatomy, and One Tree Hill.
• Dwight Murphey: A US Army veteran, who served in both World War II and the Korean War, and who received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
• Andy Murphey: An American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and television producer. He is the co-creator of the Comedy Central series Chappelle's Show, for which he received three Emmy nominations.
• Richard Murphey: A British actor and Director, best known for his roles in the BBC drama series Bleak House, and The Shadow Line.
• Billy Murphey: A British musician and composer, best known for being a part of the new wave punk band Buzzcocks.
• Henry Murphey: An American lawyer and statesman who served as a US Congressman, Senator, and as the 42nd Governor of Georgia from 1903 to 1907.
• Alex Murphey: An American professional basketball player who spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Other surnames

MurphreeMurphreyMurphy