Murphy is an Irish surname meaning "Sea Warrior".

Origins and variants

The surname is a variant of two Irish surnames: "Ó Murchadha"/"Ó Murchadh" (descendant of "Murchadh"), and "Mac Murchaidh"/" Mac Murchadh" (son of "Murchadh") derived from the Irish

personal name A personal name, full name or prosoponym (from Ancient Greek ''prósōpon'' – person, and ''onoma'' –name) is the set of names by which an individual person or animal is known. When taken together as a word-group, they all relate to that on ...

"Murchadh", which meant sea-warrior or sea-battler (''muir'' meaning sea and ''cath'' meaning battle). According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Murphys were one of the chiefly families of the

Uí Ceinnselaig The Uí Ceinselaig (also Uí Ceinselaig, Anglicized as Kinsella), from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hos ...

who in turn were a tribe from the

Dumnonii The Dumnonii or Dumnones were a Britons (historical), British List of ancient Celtic peoples and tribes, tribe who inhabited Dumnonia, the area now known as Cornwall and Devon (and some areas of present-day Dorset and Somerset) in the further pa ...

Laigin The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin (), were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as ''Cóiced Laigen'', meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinste ...

who were the third wave of

Celts The Celts ( , see Names of the Celts#Pronunciation, pronunciation for different usages) or Celtic peoples ( ) were a collection of Indo-European languages, Indo-European peoples. "The Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, reached the apoge ...

to settle in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

during the first century BC. The O'Murphys as one of the chiefly families of the Uí Ceinnselaig is supported by John O'Hart in his 1892 ''Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation''. Murchadh is reported to have been gripped with a boiling awful rage, an extreme elevation and greatness of spirit and intellect when he joined the middle of the action and prepared to assail the foreign invaders, the Danes, after they had repulsed the

Dal gCais The Dalcassians ( ) are a Gaels, Gaelic Irish clan, generally accepted by contemporary scholarship as being a branch of the Déisi Muman, that became very powerful in Ireland during the 10th century. Their genealogies claimed descent from Tál ...

. A gallantry and championship bird rose inside him and fluttered above his head and on his breath. In modern Irish, "Ó Murchú" or Mac Murchú rather than Mac/Ó Murchadha", is used. "Murphy" is the most common surname in Ireland, the fourteenth most common surname in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

, and the sixty-fourth most common surname in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

People with the surname

Men

* Aaron Murphy (born 1988), English rugby league player * Andrae Murphy (born 1986), American football player and coach * Anthony Murphy (cricketer) (born 1962), English cricketer * Arthur Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people *

Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter. He was widely celebrated as the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II, and has been described as the most highly decorated enli ...

(1925–1971), American war hero and actor * Austin J. Murphy (1927–2024), American politician * Barnes Murphy (born 1947), Irish Gaelic footballer *

Ben Murphy Ben Murphy (born March 6, 1942) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Kid Curry in the ABC television series '' Alias Smith and Jones''. Early life Murphy was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Benjamin R. Castleberry and Nadi ...

(born 1942), American actor * Benjamin Franklin Murphy (1867–1938), American politician * Bos Murphy (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 (born 1998), American football player * Byron Murphy II (born 2002), American football player * Caleb Murphy (born 1999), American football player * Calvin Murphy (born 1948), American basketball player * Carl Murphy (born 1979), New Zealand snowboarder * Carl J. Murphy (1889–1967), American journalist, publisher, civil rights activist, and educator * Charles Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people *

Chris Murphy Christopher Scott Murphy (born August 3, 1973) is an American lawyer, author, and politician serving as the junior United States senator from the state of Connecticut since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the U ...

(born 1973), American politician * Ciarán Murphy, Irish politician *

Cillian Murphy Cillian Murphy ( ; born 25 May 1976) is an Irish actor. His works encompass both stage and screen, and his accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He made his professional debut in Enda Walsh's 1996 pl ...

(born 1976), Irish actor * Colin Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Colm Murphy (1952–2023), Irish alleged suspect in the Omagh bombing * Connor Murphy (born 1993), American ice hockey player *

Conor Murphy Conor Terence Murphy (born 10 July 1963) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician, who has served as a senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel since January 2025. He previously served as Minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland from 2024 ...

, Sinn Féin politician in Northern Ireland *

Dale Murphy Dale Bryan Murphy (born March 12, 1956) is an American former professional baseball player. During an 18-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to , he played as an outfielder, catcher, and first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, Philade ...

(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, Irish football player * David Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Derek Murphy (born 1968), American rapper better known as

Sadat X Derek W. 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 ...

* 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 (born 1949), American singer/songwriter * Erik Murphy (born 1990), American–Finnish basketball player * Everett J. Murphy (1852–1922), politician * Francis Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Frank Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Fred Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Gary Murphy (1972), Irish professional golfer * Gary Murphy (1948), New Zealand cricketer *

Geoff Murphy Geoffrey Peter Murphy (12 October 1938 – 3 December 2018) was a New Zealand filmmaker, producer, director, and screenwriter best known for his work during the renaissance of New Zealand cinema that began in the second half of the 1970s. His ...

(1938–2018), New Zealand filmmaker * Geoffrey Mostyn Murphy (1922–2011), Australian boxer, better known as Tommy Burns *

George Murphy George Lloyd Murphy (July 4, 1902 – May 3, 1992) was an American actor and politician. Murphy was a song-and-dance leading man in many big-budget Hollywood musicals from 1930 to 1952. He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to ...

(1902–1992), American dancer, actor, and Republican Senator * Gerard Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Gerry Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Glen Murphy (1957), British actor *

Grayson Murphy (disambiguation) Grayson Murphy may refer to: * Grayson M. P. Murphy (1878–1937), American banker and company director * Grayson Murphy (runner) (born 1995), American mountain runner * Grayson Murphy (basketball) (born 1999), American basketball player * Grayson ...

, multiple people * Harold Lloyd Murphy (1927–2022), American judge *

Henry Murphy (disambiguation) Henry Murphy may refer to: * Henry A. Murphy (1867–1936), English-American businessman and politician * Henry C. Murphy (1810–1882), American politician * Henry Murphy (architect) (1857–1954), American architect who was hired by Chiang Kai-sh ...

, multiple people *

Isaac Murphy Isaac Murphy (October 16, 1799 or 1802 – September 8, 1882)Every Arkansas reference says that he was born in 1799; most other sources, including genealogical studies, say he was born in 1802. was a native of Pennsylvania, a teacher and law ...

(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 Jacob Kai Murphy (born 24 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Newcastle United. Murphy made his first-team debut for Norwich City in an FA Cup match against Fulham in January ...

(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 (born 1995), English footballer * Kevin Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Kieran 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, he ...

(1885–?), American operatic tenor * Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (born 1974), American singer, winner of season 6 of ''America's Got Talent'' * Larry Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Lawrence Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people *

Lionel Murphy Lionel Keith Murphy QC (30 August 1922 – 21 October 1986) was an Australian politician, barrister, and judge. He was a Senator for New South Wales from 1962 to 1975, serving as Attorney-General in the Whitlam government, and then sat on the ...

(1922–1986), 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) Martin Murphy may refer to: *Martin Murphy (civil engineer) (1832–1926), Irish-born Canadian civil engineer *Martin Murphy (rugby league), English rugby league footballer of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s *Martin Murphy (politician) (1862–1919), Ir ...

, multiple people * Matt Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people *

Maurice Murphy (actor) Maurice Murphy (October 3, 1913 – November 23, 1978) was an American film actor.Pitts, p.177. Initially a child actor, he graduated to playing older roles, often in action films. His brother Jack Murphy also became an actor. Early film appea ...

(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) Myles Murphy may refer to: * Myles Murphy (painter) (1927–2016), English painter * Myles Murphy (American football) (born 2002), American football player See also * Miles Murphy (born 1967), Australian sprinter {{human name disambiguation ...

, multiple people * Nicholas Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * 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) Peter Murphy may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Peter Murphy (broadcaster) (1923–2011), Irish radio and television broadcaster * Peter Murphy (musician) (born 1957), British musician with the band Bauhaus * Peter Murphy (artist) (born 1959), ...

, 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) Robert, Rob, Bob or Bobby Murphy may refer to: Sports Baseball *Bob Murphy (pitcher) (1866–1904), American baseball pitcher *Bob Murphy (sportscaster) (1924–2004), American sports announcer *Rob Murphy (born 1960), American retired baseball pl ...

, multiple people, people named Robert, Rob, Bob or Bobby *

Roger P. Murphy Roger P. Murphy (October 17, 1923 – July 11, 2009) was an American jurist and politician. Born in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Murphy graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his law degree from University of Wisconsin L ...

, American legislator and jurist * Ryan Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Scott Murphy, American entrepreneur and politician *

Scott Murphy (video game designer) Scott Murphy (born October 13, 1954) is an American video game designer, game programmer, programmer, and writer who developed several adventure games, mostly for Sierra On-Line. He is best known for creating the ''Space Quest'' series, mostly wi ...

, a programmer behind the ''Space Quest'' series * Sean Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Sebastian Murphy (Captain, Founding Father of

Utuado, Puerto Rico Utuado () is a Utuado barrio-pueblo, town and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central mountainous region of the island known as the ''Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico), Cordillera Central''. It is located ...

), b. circa 1696 * Shaun Murphy (disambiguation), 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 and Buffalo Bills * Troy Murphy, power forward for the Boston Celtics * Vincent B. Murphy, New York State 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 * Murder of Alexis Murphy, Alexis Murphy, American murder victim * Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (born 1995), Irish rugby sevens and union player * Annie Murphy (born 1986), Canadian actress * Brittany Murphy (1977–2009), American actress * Camay Calloway Murphy (1927–2024), American educator * Carolyn Murphy (born 1975), American model * Claudia Quigley Murphy (1863–1941), American journalist, economic consultant, advisory counsel, author * Dervla Murphy (1931–2022), travel writer * Diana E. Murphy (1934–2018), American judge * Donna Murphy (born 1958), American Tony Award-winning actress * Elizabeth Murphy Moss, Elizabeth B. Murphy (1917–1998), American journalist * 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 * Kelly Murphy (born 1977), American author and illustrator * Kelly Noonan Murphy (born 1974 or 1975), American politician * Laura Murphy, American politician * Laura W. Murphy (born 1955), American civil rights activist and lobbyist * Madeline Wheeler Murphy (1922–2007), American community advocate and civil rights activist * Margaret Mary Healy Murphy (1833–1907), American Catholic nun * Mary Murphy (disambiguation), multiple people * Maureen Murphy (ice hockey) (born 1999), American ice hockey player * Peta Murphy (1973–2023), Australian politician * Róisín Murphy (born 1973), Irish electronica singer, songwriter, and producer * Shaun Murphy (singer), a.k.a. ''Stoney'', American singer * Stephanie Murphy, Vietnamese-American politician * Stephanie J. Murphy, American veterinary scientist * Tammy Murphy (born 1965), American banker * Vashti Turley Murphy (1884–1960), American educator, community leader, and one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta * Yi Lu Murphey, American electrical engineer

Fictional characters

* Meg Murphy, the main character in the movie, ''Jinxed (2013 film), Jinxed'' (2013) * Murphy Cooper, in the film ''Interstellar (film), Interstellar'' * Captain Ed Murphy, a character in the 1987 American buddy cop action movie ''Lethal Weapon#Cast, Lethal Weapon'' * Sealab 2021#Characters, Captain Murphy from the Adult Swim animated series ''Sealab 2021'' * Alex James Murphy, the police officer who became ''RoboCop (character), RoboCop'' * List of characters in Jurassic Park#Alexis "Lex" Murphy, Alexis "Lex" Murphy, in the film ''Jurassic Park'' * Frank, Sue, Bill, Kevin, and Maureen Murphy from the Netflix original ''F Is for Family'' * List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Bleeding Gums Murphy, "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 (film)#Cast, 17 Again'' * Colin Murphy (Days of Our Lives), in the American soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' * Connor Murphy, from the musical ''Dear Evan Hansen'' * Elise Murphy, from the 2024 movie ''Tarot (2024 American film), Tarot'' * Eric Murphy (Entourage), 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 (TV series), The 100'' * Karrin Murphy, in Jim Butcher's novel series ''The Dresden Files'' (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 (film)#Cast, He's Just Not That Into You'' * Milo Murphy, in the American animated TV series ''Milo Murphy's Law'' * Professor Michael Murphy, the protagonist in the ''Babylon Rising'' series by Tim LaHaye * Randle Patrick McMurphy, one of the main characters in Ken Kesey's novel ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1962) * Ray Murphy, birth name of Gino Esposito, in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' * Sean Murphy (Oz), 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''

References

{{surname Surnames Irish families Surnames of Irish origin Occupational surnames Anglicised Irish-language surnames English-language surnames