Murphy Language(s) Irish Meaning "sea-warrior" Region of origin Ireland Related names Murchadh , Murphey, MacMurphy, MacMurrough, Morphy, O'Morchoe, O'Murphy, Murray, Morrow , MacMorrow
Murphy is an Anglicized version of two Irish surnames : Ó Murchadha /Ó Murchadh ("descendant of Murchadh"), and Mac Murchaidh /Mac Murchadh ("son of Murchadh")[ 1] derived from the Irish personal name Murchadh , which meant "sea-warrior" or "sea-battler".[ 2] (Muir meaning "sea" and cath meaning "battle").[ 3]
It is said of Murrough (Murchadh) as he entered the thick of the fight and prepared to assail the foreign invaders, the Danes, when they had repulsed the Dal-Cais, that ‘he was seized with a boiling terrible anger, an excessive elevation and greatness of spirit and mind. A bird of valour and championship rose in him, and fluttered over his head and on his breath.[ 4]
In modern Irish, "Ó Murchú ", rather than "Ó Murchadha", is used.
Murphy is the most common surname in Ireland , the fourteenth most common surname in Northern Ireland and the fifty-eighth most common surname in the United States .[ 5]
Notable people named Murphy
Men Murphy (baseball) , baseball player
Alex Murphy (basketball) (born 1993), American–Finnish basketball player; brother of Erik Murphy (below)
Alex Murphy (rugby league) , English rugby league footballer
Anthony Murphy (cricketer) (born 1962), English cricketer
Arthur Murphy , several people:
Audie Murphy (1925–1971), American war hero and actor
Austin J. Murphy (born 1927), Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania
Barnes Murphy (born 1947), Famous Sligo Gaelic Footballer
Bob Murphy , several people, see Robert Murphy
Bos Murphy , New Zealander boxer of the 1940s and '50s
Brian Murphy , several people:
Brian Murphy (actor) (born 1933), British actor most noted for his role as George Roper in the sitcom George and Mildred
Brian Murphy (baseball) , American college baseball coach
Brian Murphy (politician) , former mayor of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada
Brian Murphy (cricketer) (born 1976), former captain of the Zimbabwean cricket team
Brian Murphy (dual player) (born 1952), former hurler and Gaelic footballer with Cork, Ireland
Brian Murphy (soccer player) (born 1983), currently playing for Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Brian Murphy (politician) (born 1956), first to win independent race in his town
Brian Murphy (hurler, born 1982) (born 1982), corner-back on the Cork, Ireland, senior hurling team
Brian Murphy (writer) (born 1959), religion editor for the Associated Press
Calvin Murphy (born 1948), American retired basketball player
Charles Murphy , several people:
Charles Murphy (1880–1958), Irish politician more commonly referred to as Cathal Ó Murchadha
Charles Murphy (architect) (1890–1985), the Chicago -based architect of C.F. Murphy Associates, later Murphy/Jahn Inc.
Charles Murphy (Canadian politician) (1862–1935)
Charles Francis Murphy (1858–1924), American political figure
Charles Minthorn Murphy (1870–1950), aka "Mile-a-Minute" Murphy , American cyclist
Charles Quinton Murphy (born 1959), American writer, actor, and stand-up comedian
Charles Terrence Murphy (Canadian politician) (born 1926), Canadian politician
Chris Murphy (born 1973), United States Senator from Connecticut
Cillian Murphy (born 1976), Irish actor
Colin Murphy , several people:
Conor Murphy , Sinn Féin politician in Northern Ireland
Dale Murphy, several people:
Daniel Murphy , several people
Danny Murphy , several people
Darren Murphy (1961-2012) bassist with Indie band Wasted Youth.
Darren Murphy , Irish professional football player
Daryl Murphy , Irish professional football player
David Murphy , several people:
Dick Murphy (born 1942), American retired Republican politician
Donald E. Murphy (born 1960), American Republican politician
Derek Murphy, (born 1968) American Rapper aka Sadat X
Eddie Murphy , several people:
Edgar Gardner Murphy (1869–1913), American clergyman and author
Edward Murphy , several people, most notably:
Elliott Murphy (born 1949), American singer/songwriter
Erik Murphy (born 1990), American–Finnish basketball player
Everett J. Murphy (1852–1922), politician
Francis Murphy , several people:
Frank Murphy , several people:
Fred Murphy , several people
Gary Murphy (1971) Irish Mathematician and inventor of the Dyson shirt dryer
Geoffrey Mostyn Murphy (1922–2011), Australian boxer, better known as Tommy Burns
Glen Murphy (1957) English Actor
George Murphy (1902–1992, American dancer, actor, and Republican Senator
Henry Murphy , several people:
Isaac Murphy, two people:
Jack Murphy , several people:
James or Jimmy Murphy , several people:
James Murphy (electronic musician) (born 1970), American
James Murphy (metal guitarist) (born 1967), American heavy metal guitarist
James Murphy (soccer) , retired American soccer player
James "Quick" Murphy (born 1959), retired Canadian football player
James A. Murphy III , District Attorney, Saratoga County, New York
James Anthony Murphy (1894–1924), "Jimmy" Murphy, American racing driver
James J. Murphy (1898–1962), a United States Representative from New York
James William Murphy (1858–1927), a United States Representative from Wisconsin
Jimmy Murphy (cartoonist) (1891–1965), cartoonist of Toots and Casper comic strip
Jimmy Murphy (footballer) (1910–1989), Welsh football player and manager
Jimmy Murphy (musician) , (1925–1981), American Country musician
Jimmy Murphy (playwright) (born 1962), Irish playwright
Jim Murphy , several people:
John Murphy , several people:
John Murphy (Alabama) (1786–1841), American Democratic Governor and Congressman from Alabama
John Murphy (announcer) , American football announcer for the Buffalo Bills
John Murphy (Australian politician) (born 1950), member of the House of Representatives
John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) (born 1949), former champion player with the Fitzroy Football Club in the 1960s and 1970s
John Murphy (baseball infielder) (died 1949), aka Soldier Boy , a baseball infielder
John Murphy (baseball pitcher) , a 19th-century baseball pitcher
John Murphy (Canadian politician) (born 1937), member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1993–1997
John Murphy (composer) (born 1965), British composer of film scores
John Murphy (economist) , financial market analyst
John Murphy (footballer, born 1976) (born 1976), English striker for Chester City
John Murphy (musician) (born 1959), sometimes credited as "Jonh Murphy", Australian drummer and multi-instrument musician
John Murphy (playwright) (1929–1998), Irish dramatist, author of The Country Boy .
John Murphy (swimmer) (born 1953), retired American Olympic gold medalist in swimming
Father John Murphy (1753–1798), one of the leaders during the Irish Rebellion of 1798
John A. Murphy (born 1927), Irish historian and former independent Senator from Cork
John Alphonsus Murphy , American Medal of Honor recipient
John Benjamin Murphy (1857–1916), American surgeon, president of the American Medical Association in 1911
John E. Murphy (1869–1941), United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient during the Spanish–American War
John Francis Murphy (1853–1921), American landscape painter
John J. Murphy (born 1959), American Republican politician
John Michael Murphy , US Congressman from New York, implicated in Abscam
John W. Murphy (1902–1962), American Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania
John W. Murphy (Connecticut) , former mayor of New Haven, Connecticut
Joseph Murphy , several people
Kevin Murphy , several people:
Lambert Murphy (1885–?), American tenor, sang at the Metropolitan Opera
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. (born 1974), American singer, winner of season 6 of America's Got Talent
Larry Murphy (born 1961), Canadian retired professional ice hockey player
Lionel Murphy (born 1922), Australian politician and jurist
Marc Murphy (born 1987), Australian rules footballer
Mark Murphy , several people:
Martin Murphy , several people
Matt Murphy , several people:
Michael Murphy , several people:
Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor
Michael Murphy (author) (born 1930), American Integral Movement author and co-founder of the Esalen Institute
Michael Murphy (diver) (born 1973), retired Australian Olympic diver
Michael Murphy (New Jersey politician) (born 1949), New Jersey lobbyist, former Prosecutor and candidate for Governor
Michael Murphy (priest) (c. 1767 – 1798), co-leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
Michael Murphy (singer) (born 1986), New Zealand Idol runner up
Michael Murphy (VC) (c. 1837 – 1893), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross
Michael Bryan Murphy , former lead singer of REO Speedwagon
Michael D. Murphy , United States Air Force Colonel under charges for falsely claiming to be an attorney
Michael P. Murphy (1976–2005), United States Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient, killed in action in Afghanistan
Michael Martin Murphey (born 1945, American singer and songwriter
Mick Murphy (Sinn Féin politician) (born 1942)
Mickey Murphy ,(Gaelic footballer ), Tyrone and Galbally Pearses midfielder
Mike Murphy , several people:
Nicholas Murphy (born 1978), Gaelic footballer
Nicholas Daniel Murphy (1811–1890), Irish politician from Cork, Member of Parliament (MP) 1865–1880
Nick Murphy , several people:
Oakes Murphy (1849–1908), Two-time Governor of Arizona Territory
Pat Murphy , several people
Paul Murphy , several people
Peter Murphy , several people:
Philip D. Murphy (born 1957), ambassador
Richard Murphy , several people:
Rob Murphy , several people:
Robert Murphy , several people:
Irish Bob Murphy (1922–1961), American light heavyweight boxer
Bob Murphy (announcer) (1924–2004), American baseball announcer
Bob Murphy (golfer) (born 1943), American PGA winning golfer
Bob Murphy (musician) , Canadian jazz pianist
Robert Murphy (Australian rules footballer) (born 1982), Australian rules football
Robert C. Murphy (1926–2000), American lawyer and judge
Robert Cushman Murphy (1887–1973), American ornithologist
Robert Daniel Murphy (1894&ndas1978), American diplomat
Robert F. Murphy (politician) , American retired Republican politician, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1957 to 1961
Robert F. Murphy (anthropologist) (1924–1990), American anthropologist
Robert P. Murphy (born 1976), American economist and author
Robert S. Murphy (1861–1912), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1907 to 1911
Roger P. Murphy , American legislator and jurist
Ryan Murphy, two people:
Scott Murphy, two people:
Sean Murphy , several people:
Shaun Murphy , several people:
Shawn Murphy , several people
Timothy Murphy , several people:
Thomas Murphy (or Tom), several people
Tom Murphy (athlete) , American middle distance runner
Troy Murphy , power forward for the Boston Celtics
Vincent B. Murphy , NYS Comptroller 1925–1926
Vincent J. Murphy , Mayor of Newark 1941–1949
Wendell H. Murphy , North Carolina politician
William Murphy , several people
Yale Murphy (1869–1906), American baseball player
Yo Murphy , football player, CFL, NFL
Women Brittany Murphy (1977–2009), American actress
Dervla Murphy (born 1931), travel writer
Carolyn Murphy (born 1975), American model
Donna Murphy (born 1958), American Tony Award winning actress
Erin Murphy , several people:
Gillian Murphy , principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre
Kelly Murphy (born 1977), American author and illustrator
Mary Murphy , several people:
Róisín Murphy (born 1973), Irish electronica singer, songwriter, and producer
Shaun Murphy (singer) , aka Stoney , American singer
Fictional Captain Murphy from the Adult Swim animated series Sealab 2021
Alex James Murphy, the police officer who became RoboCop
Alexis "Lex" Murphy , a character in Jurassic Park
Bridey Murphy , historical character in a hypnotic regression case detailed in Bernstein's The Search for Bridey Murphy
"Bleeding Gums" Murphy , a character on the cartoon television series The Simpsons
Dr. Colin Murphy , character on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives
Sean Murphy , an Irish correctional officer in the HBO drama Oz
Murphy , the eponymous protagonist in Samuel Beckett's first published novel
Professor Michael Murphy, the protagonist in the Babylon Rising series by Dr Tim LaHaye
Murphy MacManus, one of the two main characters from the movie The Boondock Saints
Murphy, professional wrestler also known as Mikael Judas
Randle Patrick McMurphy , one of the main characters in Ken Kesey 's 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Murphy Pendleton, the protagonist of the video game Silent Hill: Downpour
Karrin Murphy , is a police detective and head of SI, a friend to Harry Dresden , and major character in Jim Butcher 's The Dresden Files .
Naiada Murphy, a character in book Naiada and the Mystery of the Hidden Diary by Ms. Nathalie de Gabriele Ferrante
Murphy Brown, the lead character in the television show Murphy Brown , a recovering alcoholic, who, in the show's first episode, returns to the fictional news magazine FYI for the first time following a stay at the Betty Ford Clinic .
Murphy, one of the three protagonists from Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson, and the rebel of the gang
Eric Murphy, character in the HBO series Entourage
John Murphy, character on the CW show The 100
See also
References
^ Brewer, Paul (2002). Ireland: History, People, Culture . Running Press. p. 351. ISBN 0-7624-1269-0 .
^ MacLysaght, Edward (1991). The Surnames of Ireland . Irish Academic Press. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-7165-2366-6 .
^ Hanks, Patrick ; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names , Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford : Oxford University Press , pp. 352, 406, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1
^ Hennessey, W M. The Ancient Irish Goddess of War . Library of Alexandria. p. 307. ISBN 978-1-6131-0276-3 .
^ "Genealogy Data: Frequently Occurring Surnames from Census 2000" . Census.gov. Retrieved 2012-04-19 .
External links Official Home of the Murphy Clan , including a wealth of historical content about Ireland's Murphy Clan such as clan history, famous people, homelands, genealogy, discussion forums and blog articles.
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