Murphy () ( ga, Ua Murchadha) is an
Irish surname
In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community.
Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...
and the most common surname in the
Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. ...
.
Origins and variants
The surname is a variant of two Irish surnames: "Ó Murchadha"/"Ó Murchadh" (descendant of "Murchadh"), and "Mac Murchaidh"/"
Mac Murchadh
McMurphy, and its variants Murphy, Morrow and MacMurrough, are anglicisations of the Irish language surname ''Mac Murchaidh''. The clan originated in the ferns County Wexford such as Diarmaid mac Murchadha in the 17th century the clan was found ...
" (son of "Murchadh") derived from the Irish
personal name
A personal name, or full name, in onomastic terminology also known as prosoponym (from Ancient Greek πρόσωπον / ''prósōpon'' - person, and ὄνομα / ''onoma'' - name), is the set of names by which an individual person is kno ...
"Murchadh", which meant sea-warrior or sea-battler (''muir'' meaning sea and ''cath'' meaning battle).
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.
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
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is #Descriptions, variously described as ...
, and the fifty-eighth most common surname in the United States.
People with the surname
Men
*
Aaron James Murphy
Aaron James Murphy is a film and television actor. He was born 1 January 1992 in New Zealand.
Filmography Film
* ''Rain'' (2001) .... Jim
* ''Boogeyman'' (2005) .... Young Tim Jensen
* ''The World's Fastest Indian'' (2005) .... Tom
* '' Perfect C ...
(born 1992), New Zealand actor
*
Anthony Murphy (cricketer) (born 1962), English cricketer
*
Arthur Murphy (disambiguation) Arthur Murphy may refer to:
*Arthur Murphy (writer) (1727–1805), pseudonym Charles Ranger, Irish writer
*Arthur Murphy (broadcaster) (1928–2019), Irish television and radio broadcaster
* Arthur Edward Murphy (1901–1962), American philosopher
...
, multiple people
*
Audie Murphy (1925–1971), American war hero and actor
*
Austin J. Murphy (born 1927), Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania
*
Barnes Murphy
Barnes Murphy (born in Sligo, Ireland), is a former Gaelic football
Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on ...
(born 1947), former Gaelic footballer
*
Bos Murphy
Richard Boswell "Bos" Murphy (14 February 1924 – 9 November 2000) was a New Zealand professional welter/ middle/light heavyweight boxer of the 1940s and 1950s who won the New Zealand Boxing Association welterweight title, Australasian welterw ...
(1924–2000), New Zealand boxer
*
Brian Murphy (disambiguation) Brian Murphy may refer to:
Sportspeople
* Brian Murphy (Jamaican cricketer) (born 1973), Jamaican cricketer
* Brian Murphy (Zimbabwean cricketer) (born 1976), Zimbabwean cricketer
* Brian Murphy (baseball) (born 1980), American head baseball coach ...
, multiple people
*
Buddy Murphy, Australian professional wrestler
*
Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy Jr. (born January 18, 1998) is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington.
Early years
Murphy attended Saguaro High School in Scottsd ...
(born 1998), American football player
*
Calvin Murphy (born 1948), American retired basketball player
*
Charles Murphy (disambiguation) Charles or Charlie Murphy may refer to: Charlie Murphy
Politics
*Charles Murphy (1880–1958), Irish politician more commonly referred to as Cathal Ó Murchadha
* Charles Murphy (Australian politician) (1909–1997), member of the Victorian Legis ...
, multiple people
*
Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician) (born 1973),
United States Senator
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and po ...
from
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...
*
Ciarán Murphy
Ciarán P. Murphy (born 30 May 1940) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála (TD) for Wicklow from 1973 to 1982.
A secondary school teacher before entering politics, Murphy was elected to Dáil Éireann on his first at ...
, Irish T.D.
*
Cillian Murphy (born 1976), Irish actor
*
Colin Murphy (disambiguation) Colin Murphy may refer to:
* Colin Murphy (comedian)
Colin Murphy (born 16 July 1968) is a Northern Irish comedian from Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. He now lives in south Belfast. He is best known for his television work hostin ...
, multiple people
*
Colm Murphy (born 1952), Irish alleged suspect in the
Omagh bombing
The Omagh bombing was a car bombing on 15 August 1998 in the town of Omagh in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It was carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army (Real IRA), a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter group who oppo ...
*
Connor Murphy (born 1993), American ice hockey player
*
Conor Murphy
Conor Terence Murphy ( Irish: Conchúr Ó Murchú; born 10 July 1963) is an Irish republican Sinn Féin politician who is the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland for Newry and Armagh. He served as the Member of Parliament ...
, Sinn Féin politician in Northern Ireland
*
Dale Murphy (born 1956), American retired baseball player
*
Dale D. Murphy, professor at Georgetown University
*
Daniel Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Darren Murphy (born 1985), Irish footballer
*
Darren Murphy (Australian rules footballer) (born 1964)
* Darren Murphy (1961–2012), bassist with the British punk rock/post-punk band
Wasted Youth
*
Daryl Murphy
Daryl Michael Murphy (born 15 March 1983) is an Irish former professional footballer.
Murphy began his career at Waterford United, having previously played youth football for Waterford based side Southend United and English side Luton Town, wh ...
, Irish football player
*
David Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
* Derek Murphy (born 1968), American rapper better known as
Sadat X
Derek Murphy (born December 29, 1968), better known as Sadat X, is an American rapper, best known as a member of alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sad ...
*
Dick Murphy (born 1942), American retired Republican politician
*
Donald E. Murphy (born 1960), American Republican politician
*
Donnie Murphy (born 1983), American baseball player
*
Eddie Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Edward Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Elliott Murphy
Elliott James Murphy (born March 16, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter, novelist, record producer and journalist living in Paris.
Biography
Elliott Murphy was born in Rockville Centre, New York, grew up in Garden City, Long Island ...
(born 1949), American singer/songwriter
*
Erik Murphy (born 1990), American–Finnish basketball player
*
Everett J. Murphy
Notable men of Illinois & their state
Everett Jerome Murphy (July 24, 1852 – April 10, 1922) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Born in Nashville, Washington County, Illinois, Murphy moved with his parents to Sparta, Illinois. He attend ...
(1852–1922), politician
*
Francis Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Frank Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Fred Murphy (disambiguation) Fred Murphy may refer to:
* Fred Murphy (cinematographer) Fred V. Murphy II A.S.C. is a New York-based cinematographer who has worked on over 50 movies, among them such films as '' Hoosiers'', '' The Dead'', '' Secret Window'', ''Auto Focus'' and ...
, multiple people
*
Gary Murphy (1972), Irish professional golfer
*
Gary Murphy (1948), New Zealand cricketer
*
Geoff Murphy (1938–2018), New Zealand filmmaker
* Geoffrey Mostyn Murphy (1922–2011), Australian boxer, better known as
Tommy Burns
*
Glen Murphy
Glen Murphy (born 6 April 1957) is a British actor and producer, best known as Firefighter George Green between 1988 and 2002 on the television drama '' London's Burning''.
Career
Murphy was the only actor to remain throughout the entire r ...
(1957), British actor
*
George Murphy (1902–1992), American dancer, actor, and Republican Senator
*
Grayson Murphy (disambiguation)
*
Henry Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Isaac Murphy (1802–1882), Republican Governor of Arkansas
*
Isaac Burns Murphy (1861–1896), American Hall-of-Fame jockey
*
Isaiah Murphy, a.k.a. Shinsaku Enomoto, (born 1998), Japanese basketball player
*
Jack Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Jacob Murphy (born 1995), English footballer
*
James Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named James or Jimmy
*
Jim Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
John Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Joseph Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Josh Murphy
Joshua Murphy (born 24 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Oxford United. He began his career at Norwich City, for whom he scored on his professional debut for in a League Cup match against Watfo ...
(born 1995), English footballer
*
Kevin Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Lambert Murphy
Harry Lambert Murphy (1 April 15, 1885 – July 25, 1954) was an American operatic tenor.
Biography
He was born as Harry Lambert Murphy in Springfield, Massachusetts on 15 April 1885.
While pursuing an academic course at Harvard University, ...
(1885–?), American operatic tenor
*
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. (born 1974), American singer, winner of
season 6 of ''
America's Got Talent
''America's Got Talent'' (often abbreviated as ''AGT'') is a televised American talent show competition, and is part of the global ''Got Talent'' franchise created by Simon Cowell. The program is produced by Fremantle (as well as distribu ...
''
*
Larry Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Lawrence Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Lionel Murphy (born 1922), Australian politician and jurist
*
Loren E. Murphy (1882–1963), American jurist
*
Marc Murphy (footballer) (born 1987), Australian rules footballer
*
Mark Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Martin Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Matt Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Maurice Murphy (actor) (1913–1978), American actor
*
Michael Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Michael, Mick or Mike
*
Mickey Murphy (born 1985), Gaelic footballer
*
Miles Murphy (born 1967), Australian sprinter
*
Myles Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, multiple people
*
Nicholas Murphy (born 1978), Gaelic footballer
*
Nicholas Daniel Murphy
Nicholas Daniel Murphy (1811– 6 January 1889) was an Irish politician from Cork. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1865 to 1880.
Standing as a Liberal, he was elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom at a by-election on 14 February ...
(1811–1890), Irish politician from Cork, Member of Parliament (MP) 1865–1880
*
Nick Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Oakes Murphy
Nathan Oakes Murphy (October 14, 1849 – August 22, 1908) was the tenth and fourteenth Governor of Arizona Territory. As well as the territory's delegate to the House of Representatives.
Born in Jefferson, Maine to Benjamin F. Murphy and Lucy ...
(1849–1908), two-time Governor of Arizona Territory
*
Pat Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Patricia Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Patrick Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Paul Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Peter Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Phil Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Phil, Philip or Phillip
*
Richard Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Richard, some nicknamed Dick
*
Robert Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Robert, Rob, Bob or Bobby
*
Roger P. Murphy, American legislator and jurist
*
Ryan Murphy (footballer) (born 1985)
*
Ryan Murphy (writer)
Ryan Patrick Murphy (born November 9, 1965) is an American television writer, director, and producer. He has created and produced a number of television series including '' Nip/Tuck'' (2003–2010), '' Glee'' (2009–2015), ''American Horror Sto ...
, American television writer, director and producer
*
Scott Murphy
Matthew Scott Murphy (born January 26, 1970) is an American entrepreneur and politician. He represented parts of New York state's Capital District (excluding the city of Albany) in the United States House of Representatives for a portion of one ...
, American entrepreneur and politician
*
Scott Murphy (video game designer), a programmer behind the ''
Space Quest'' series
*
Sean Murphy (disambiguation) Sean Murphy may refer to:
Sports
* Seán Óg Murphy (1897–1956), Irish hurler
* Seán Murphy (hurler) (born 1947), Irish hurler
* Seán Murphy (Gaelic footballer) (born 1932), Irish Gaelic football player
* Sean Murphy (footballer, born 1995) ...
, multiple people
*
Shaun Murphy (disambiguation) Shaun Murphy (born 1982) is an English snooker player.
Shaun Murphy may also refer to:
* Shaun Murphy (soccer)
Shaun Peter Murphy (born 5 November 1970) is an Australian former soccer player. His club career included stints with Notts County ...
, multiple people
*
Shawn Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Stephen Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Storm Murphy (born 1999), American basketball player
*
Sydney Murphy (born 1960), Vincentian retired cricketer
*
Timothy Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Timothy or Tim
*
Thomas Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people, people named Thomas or Tom
*
Trent Murphy (2013), outside linebacker in the National Football League; played for the
Washington Redskins
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) ...
and
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division ...
*
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, American politician
*
William Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people,
*
Yale Murphy (1869–1906), American baseball player
*
Yo Murphy (born 1971), American former football player
Women
*
Ashling Murphy, Irish teacher; suspected of being murdered
*
Alexis Murphy, American murder victim
*
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (born 26 April 1995) is an Irish rugby sevens and rugby union player, who has represented Ireland in both formats. At club level, she has played for Munster 15s and Railway Union. Murphy Crowe was the leading try score ...
(born 1995), Irish rugby sevens and union player
*
Annie Murphy (born 1986), Canadian actress
*
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Anne Murphy-Monjack (; November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009) was an American actress and singer. Born in Atlanta, Murphy moved to Los Angeles as a teenager and pursued a career in acting. Her breakthrough role was as Tai Fras ...
(1977–2009), American actress
*
Dervla Murphy (born 1931), travel writer
*
Carolyn Murphy (born 1975), American model
*
Diana E. Murphy
Diana E. Murphy (January 4, 1934 – May 16, 2018) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of M ...
(1934–2018), American judge
*
Donna Murphy (born 1958), American Tony Award-winning actress
*
Erin Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Gail C. Murphy, Canadian computer scientist
*
Gillian Murphy, principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre
*
Jess Murphy, New Zealand-born chef based in Galway, Ireland
*
Julie Murphy (singer) (born 1961), Welsh singer
*
Julie Murphy (author), American novelist
*
Katherine Murphy, journalist, political editor of ''
Guardian Australia''
*
Kelly Murphy
Kelly Murphy is an American author, illustrator and educator. She is based in Providence, Rhode Island.
Early life
Murphy was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in southeastern Massachusetts. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design ...
(born 1977), American author and illustrator
*
Margaret Mary Healy Murphy (1833–1907), American Catholic nun
*
Mary Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people
*
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy ( , ; born 5 July 1973) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and record producer. She first became known in the 1990s as one half of the pop duo Moloko alongside English musician Mark Brydon. After the breakup of Moloko, she ...
(born 1973), Irish electronica singer, songwriter, and producer
*
Shaun Murphy (singer), a.k.a. ''Stoney'', American singer
*
Stephanie Murphy
Stephanie Murphy (born Đặng Thị Ngọc Dung; September 16, 1978) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 7th congressional district since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she defeated incumbent R ...
, Vietnamese-American politician
*
Stephanie J. Murphy, American veterinary scientist
*
Tammy Murphy (born 1965), American banker
Fictional characters
* Meg Murphy, the main character in the movie, ''
Jinxed'' (2013)
* Murphy Cooper, in the film ''
Interstellar''
* Captain Ed Murphy, a character in the 1987 American buddy cop action movie ''
Lethal Weapon''
*
Captain Murphy from the Adult Swim animated series ''
Sealab 2021
''Sealab 2021'' is an American adult animated television series created by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. Cartoon Network aired the show's first three episodes in December 2000 before ...
''
* Alex James Murphy, the police officer who became ''
RoboCop
''RoboCop'' is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. The film stars Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Daniel O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, and Miguel Fer ...
''
*
Alexis "Lex" Murphy, in the film ''
Jurassic Park
''Jurassic Park'', later also referred to as ''Jurassic World'', is an American science fiction media franchise created by Michael Crichton and centered on a disastrous attempt to create a theme park of cloned dinosaurs. It began in 1990 when ...
''
* Frank, Sue, Bill, Kevin, and Maureen Murphy from the Netflix original ''
F Is for Family''
*
"Bleeding Gums" Murphy, on the cartoon TV series ''The Simpsons''
*
Bridey Murphy, historical character in a hypnotic regression case detailed in Bernstein's ''The Search for Bridey Murphy''
* Coach Murphy, a character in the 2009 American fantasy comedy movie ''
17 Again''
*
Colin Murphy (fiction), in the American soap opera ''
Days of Our Lives
''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock. The soap, which aired on the American television net ...
''
* Connor Murphy, from the musical ''
Dear Evan Hansen
''Dear Evan Hansen'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a high school senior with social anxiety, "who invents an important role for himself in a t ...
''
*
Eric Murphy, in the HBO series ''Entourage''
* Frank Murphy, in the movie ''
Blue Thunder'' (1983)
* Hank Murphy, in the TV series ''
Sullivan & Son'' (2012)
* John Murphy, in the TV series ''
The 100''
*
Karrin Murphy, in
Jim Butcher's novel series ''
The Dresden Files
''The Dresden Files'' is a series of contemporary fantasy/ mystery novels written by American author Jim Butcher. The first novel, '' Storm Front''—which was also Butcher's writing debut—was published in 2000 by Roc Books.
The books are wr ...
'' (named Connie Murphy in the TV series of the same title)
* Ken Murphy, a character in the 2009 American romantic comedy-drama movie ''
He's Just Not That Into You
''He's Just Not That Into You'' is a self-improvement book written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo that was published in 2004 and later adapted into a film by the same name in 2009. It was a New York Times bestseller and was featured on ''Th ...
''
* Milo Murphy, in the American animated TV series ''
Milo Murphy's Law''
* Professor Michael Murphy, the protagonist in the ''
Babylon Rising'' series by
Dr Tim LaHaye
*
Randle Patrick McMurphy, one of the main characters in
Ken Kesey's novel ''
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to:
* ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey
* ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas
* ''One Flew Over the ...
'' (1962)
* Ray Murphy, birth name of
Gino Esposito
Gino Esposito is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Shane McNamara. The character made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 August 2000. The character was originally played by Claude ...
, in the Australian soap opera ''
Neighbours
''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...
''
*
Sean Murphy (''Oz''), in the HBO TV drama series ''
Oz''
* Sergeant Murphy, a fictional character in the ''
Richard Scarry'' books
* Susan Murphy, aka
Ginormica, one of the main protagonists of the film ''
Monsters vs. Aliens''
* Alvin Bernard Murphy, in the TV series ''
Z Nation
''Z Nation'' is an American horror television series that aired on Syfy, created by Karl Schaefer and Craig Engler, and was produced by The Asylum. The first season of 13 episodes premiered on September 12, 2014. ''Z Nation'' was filmed in the ...
''
See also
*
Justice Murphy (disambiguation)
*
Murph (disambiguation)
References
{{surname
Surnames
Irish families
Surnames of Irish origin
Occupational surnames
Anglicised Irish-language surnames
English-language surnames