Surname Murtishaw - Meaning and Origin
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Murtishaw: What does the surname Murtishaw mean?
The last name Murtishaw is of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) origin. The name is derived from the Old English term "Myrtel", meaning a shrub or hedge, combined with the element "shaw", meaning a small copse or wood. Thus, the name literally translates into "densely planted shrubs or hedges".
The popularity of the last name Murtishaw in the US is relatively low, appearing in less than 0.001% of the population. It is likely that the name first appeared in the 12th century, originating from England. It is theorized that the Murtishaw family was a relatively small family of land-owners, with many of their descendants settling in the eastern states of the US – particularly towards the southern states.
Throughout history, the name Murtishaw has been linked to several notable people. Stephen Murtishaw is an American scientist who worked on the Voyager 1 and the Hubble Space Telescope space projects. Randal Murtishaw was the main advisor for the American cyberpunk movie, “Blade Runner”.
The origins of the last name Murtishaw show a deep connection to the English countryside and nature. It serves as a reminder of the family's ancestral roots and the hard work of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMurtishaw: Where does the name Murtishaw come from?
The last name Murtishaw is not overly common today. It can be found mainly in the United States, although there are also some people with the last name Murtishaw living in England and the United Arab Emirates. The first known person with the last name Murtishaw was Professor Allen Murtishaw of Berkeley California who lived in the late 1600s. After that, the name can be found sporadically throughout the eastern United States during the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s.
In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Murtishaw can be found in the Midwest, mainly in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. The region with the second largest population of people with the last name Murtishaw is the Northeast, mostly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
A handful of people with the last name Murtishaw live in Florida, although their numbers are fewer that in other states. There are also a few people with the last name Murtishaw living in the western states, mainly in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Locally, the last name Murtishaw is not overly common. It is estimated that only around two hundred people in the United States today go by this surname.
Variations of the surname Murtishaw
The surname Murtishaw has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Murtaugh, Murtaugh, Murtoghe, Murtshaw, Murtisho, and Murtasa.
The origin of Murtishaw is Irish, specifically Connacht. It is derived from the Gaelic Irish name “Muircheartach”, which means “ofsea-strength”. This could also have been adapted from the French name “Muircher”, which means “Sea-lord”.
The most common spelling of the name is Murtaugh. It has been in documented existence in Ireland since at least 1659. It was recorded in the Hearth Money Rolls for County Galway. Additionally, an examination of birth, marriage, and death records in Dublin in the 1700s found several instances of the name Murtaugh.
The variants Murtoghe, Murtshaw, and Murtasa are all variations of the Murtaugh spelling. Murtoghe is the most common spelling, while Murtshaw is the least common.
The Anglicized versions of the original Irish name are Murtaugh, Murtisho, and Murtasa. This is due to the flux of Irish people emigrating to America and Britain during the 1800s.
No matter how the name is spelled, Murtishaw is an old Irish surname that has been around for centuries. It is a variant of the ancient Gaelic name Muircheartach, and it symbolizes strength from the sea.
Famous people with the name Murtishaw
- Carter Murtishaw: Professional Snowboarder
- Orlando Murtishaw: Presenter and Reporter
- Ruth Murtishaw: Actress
- George Murtishaw: Retired Basketball Player
- Joanna Murtishaw: Dancer and Choreographer
- Ed Murtishaw: Musician
- Michele Murtishaw: Chef
- Isaac Murtishaw: Psychologist
- Steve Murtishaw: Football Player
- Mia Murtishaw: Phillips Academy Graduate and Activist