Murphy

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Murphy is an Anglicized version of two Irish surnames Ó Murchadha ("descendant of Murchadh"), and Mac Murchaidh ("son of Murchadh" ) derived from the Irish personal name Murchadh, which meant "sea-warrior" or "sea-battler". (Muir meaning "sea" and cath meaning "battle".) Mac Murchaidh is the more likely Irish root of the Murphy surname in the counties of Ulster, in particular, but not limited to, Armagh and Tyrone. The motto of the Murphy clan is "Fortis et hospitalis," which means "Brave and hospitable".

The Oxford English Dictionary claims that Murphy is derived from the name Morpheus.

Murphy is the most common Irish surname. In modern Irish "Ó Murchú", rather than "Ó Murchadha", is used.

Contents

[edit] Notable people with the name

[edit] Women

[edit] Men

[edit] Fictional

[edit] External links

  • Murphys of Ireland website, featuring general information about the Murphy surname, including derivation and discussion of the major early Murchadha septs in Ireland.
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