Murphy History

Murphy is the anglicised version of two Irish surnames, ÓMurchadha (in modern Irish ÓMurchú) and Mac Murchadha, both derived from the popular early Irish personal name Murchadh, meaning sea-warrior.

Mac Murchadha (son of Murchadh) is exclusive to Ulster, where the family was part of the Cenél Eoghain, the tribal grouping claiming descent from Eoghan, himself a son of the fifth century founder of the UÝ Neill dynasty, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was reputedly responsible for the kidnapping of St. Patrick to Ireland. These Ulster Murphys (or MacMurphys) were originally based in present-day Co Tyrone, in the area known as Muintir Birn, but were driven out by the O'Neills. They settled in south Armagh, where they were subjects of the O'Neills of the Fews. In Ulster today, Murphys remain most common in Co. Armagh, though they are also to be found in great numbers in Fermanagh and Monaghan.

Elsewhere in Ireland, Ó Murchadha (descendant of Murchadh) is the original Irish. It arose separately in at least three distinct areas, in Cork, Roscommon and Wexford. The most prominent of these were the Wexford UÝ Murchadha. These took their surname from Murchadh or Murrough, grandfather of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster, and thus they share their origin not only with the MacMurroughs but also with the Kinsellas, the Kavanaghs and the MacDavy Mores. Their territory lay in the barony of Ballaghkeen in Wexford, and was formerly known as Hy Felimy, from Felim, one of the sons of Eanna Cinnseallaigh, the semi-legendary fourth-century ruler of Leinster.

Their chief seats in this area were at Morriscastle (Ó Murchu's Castle), Toberlamina, Oulart and Oularteigh. The last Chief of the Name to be elected by the old Gaelic method of tanistry was Murtagh, who in 1461 was granted the right to use English law, thus entitling him to pass on his possessions to his direct descendants. The arrangement lasted only until the late 16th century, when Donal Mor O'Morchoe (as the name was then anglicised) was overthrown, and virtually all his territory confiscated; most of his followers were scattered and settled in the surrounding counties, in Kilkenny and Carlow particularly. One branch, however, based at Oularteigh, did manage to retain their lands, and their succession continues unbroken down to the present.

David O'Morchoe (this version of the name was adopted by deed poll by his grandfather in 1895) is the current Chief of the Name, recognised as such by The Chief Herald of Ireland. The arms illustrated belong to this family.

Births of Surname in 1890 (By Province)
Leinster 476
Munster 611
Connacht 110
Ulster 189

Surname Variants:
MacMurphy
MacMurrough
Morphy
Murphy
O'Morchoe
O'Murphy

Most Common in Counties:
Cork
Dublin
Wexford