Show ContentsMurrish Surname History

  • Origins Available:
  • Scotland
Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Etymology of Murrish

What does the name Murrish mean?

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Murrish family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic name Muiredachus, meaning "belonging to the sea, a mariner," from which also comes the more common and quite distinct name Murdoch.

Early Origins of the Murrish family

The surname Murrish was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Murrish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murrish research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1485 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Murrish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murrish Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Murrish has been spelled MacVurrich, MacVurich, MacVarish, MacVarrais, MacVarrich, MacWirriche, MacVorist, MacVorish, MacMorice, MacNuirighe and many more.

Early Notables of the Murrish family

More information is included under the topic Early Murrish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murrish migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Murrishs to arrive on North American shores:

Murrish Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Murrish, (b. 1868), aged 31, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th December 1899 en route to Montana, USA 1
  • Mr. Charles Murrish, (b. 1896), aged 3, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th December 1899 en route to Montana, USA 1
  • Miss Evelyn Murrish, (b. 1891), aged 8, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th December 1899 en route to Montana, USA 1
  • Mrs. Susan Murrish, (b. 1868), aged 31, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th December 1899 en route to Montana, USA 1

Murrish migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Murrish Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mary Murrish, aged 40, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876
  • Mary Murrish, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876
  • Nicholas Murrish, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876
  • Annie Murrish, aged 12, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876
  • Charlotte Murrish, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1876
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf

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