Murray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

Etymology of Murray

What does the name Murray mean?

Murray was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The ancestors of the Murray family lived in the county of Moray in the northeast of Scotland, but some historians describe the Clan's forbears as originally Flemish, some as Lowland Scots. More enlightened research places them as descendents of MacAngus de Moravia, who was descended from King Duncan of Scotland and who was the first Earl of Murray.

Murray Coat of Arms Creation

In the course of time there was no heir male to succeed to the earldom; only a daughter -who married a Murray, William, the second Earl of Tullibardine. This Tullibardine was appointed Hereditary Sheriff of Perthshire in 1600 for rescuing the King at Perth from the attempt of the Earl of Gowrie; and Charles I. revived the Earldom of Atholl in the issue of this Countess of Tullibardine. Thus the original Stewart crest became the crest of the Murrays. In 1893 the name was changed from Athole to the original Atholl.

There are no fewer than 63 branches of the Murrays showing their own crests and mottoes. A mermaid with a comb in her right hand and in the left a mirror is the crest of several branches, and the motto, " Tout pret" (Quite ready)

Early Origins of the Murray family

The surname Murray was first found in Moray, where the Clan founder, Freskin, received a grant of the lands of Strathbrock in 1100 AD. He was descended from the first Earl, and his grandson, William, married the heiress of the Bothwell Clan in Lanarkshire. His sons founded many other houses, including the Murrays of Tullibardine, who later became the Dukes of Atholl, and Chiefs of the Clan.

At the same time, an early branch in the north had given origin to the Earls of Sutherland. Andrew Moray (died 1297) also known as Andrew de Moray, Andrew of Moray, or Andrew Murray, was prominent in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

He led the rising in north Scotland in the summer of 1297 against the occupation by King Edward I of England. He was mortally wounded in the fighting at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Early History of the Murray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murray research. Another 596 words (43 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1170, 1203, 1255, 1297, 1320, 1333, 1360, 1446, 1586, 1598, 1600, 1608, 1629, 1631, 1640, 1650, 1655, 1660, 1663, 1673, 1691, 1701, 1703, 1710, 1715, 1716, 1719, 1724, 1734, 1745, 1765 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Murray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murray Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Murray has appeared Murray, Murrey, Moray, Morey, Morrey, Morry, Murry, MacMhuirich (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Murray family

Sir Robert Moray (Murrey, Murray) (1608-1673), a Scottish soldier, statesman, diplomat, judge, spy, freemason and natural philosopher
John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, KT, PC (1660-1724) was a Scottish nobleman, Knight of the Thistle, politician, and soldier
William Murray, 1st Earl of Dysart (c. 1600-1655), the childhood whipping boy of Charles I of England and later an adviser to the king
John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl, KT (1631-1703), a leading Scottish Royalist and defender of the Stuarts during the English Civil War of the 1640s
Lord James Murray (1663-1719), a Scottish Member of Parliament, Member of Parliament for Perthshire (1710-1715)
Thomas Murray or Murrey (1663-1734), a prominent Scottish portrait-painter

Murray World Ranking

the United States, the name Murray is the 122^nd most popular surname with an estimated 184,038 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Murray is ranked the 50^th most popular surname with an estimated 38,199 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Murray is the 420^th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Murray as 174^th with 230 people. 4 Australia ranks Murray as 53^rd with 37,957 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Murray as 34^th with 5,616 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Murray as 68^th with 67,771 people. 7 South Africa ranks Murray as 802^nd with 8,646 people. 8

Migration of the Murray family to Ireland

Some of the Murray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murray migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Murray:

Murray Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Murray, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 10
Anna Murray, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 10
Johnathan Murray, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1687 10

Murray Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Barbara Murray, who landed in Cape Fear, North Carolina in 1737 10
Garret Murray, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 10
Charles Murray, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 10
Elizabeth Murray, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1755 10
Archibald Murray, aged 17, who arrived in New York in 1755 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murray Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Murray of County Derry, who went to Philadelphia in 1803 aboard the "Mohawk"
William Murray, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
Alex Murray, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
Hannah Murray, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 10
Nancy Murray, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murray Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John Murray, who landed in Colorado in 1901 10

Murray migration to Canada +

Murray Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Christopher Murray, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Margaret Murray, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
Mary Murray, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
Morton Murray, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1783
Mr. John Murray Sr., U.E. (b. 1735) born in Scotland from Tryon County, New York, USA who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia c. 1783, then settling in Prince Edward Island, [Island of Saint John], New Brunswick in 1784 was a passenger aboard the ship "Eleanor", married to Mary Kennedy having 8 children, he is among the 37 names listed on the Bedeque Harbour Loyalist Monument in Prince Edward Island 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murray Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Murray, aged 21, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814 10
Alex Murray, aged 19, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814 10
William Murray, aged 25, Scottish farmer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 10
Donald Murray, aged 40, Scottish labourer who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 5 children 10
Hugh Murray, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murray migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Henry Murray, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. Nicholas Murray, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. Thomas Murray, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. Thomas Murray, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Murray Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Michael Murray, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Owen Murray, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Murray, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Murray Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Murray, British Convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Cornelius Murray, British settler who was convicted in Cumberland, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Murray, (Walsh, Henchan), Irish convict who was convicted in Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Jane Murray, English convict who was convicted in Huntingdon, Cambridge, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Mary Murray, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murray 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:

Murray Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John A. Murray, aged 25, a clerk, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 17
William Murray, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 17
John Murray, aged 24, a ploughman, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
John Murray, aged 37, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tyne" in 1841
Mary Murray, aged 35, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tyne" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Murray (post 1700) +

Jim Murray (1937-2025), co-founder of the Ronald McDonald House and a former General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, native of West Philadelphia, president of Jim Murray Ltd, a sports promotion and marketing firm
Matthew Michael "Matt" Murray (1970-2025), American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox during the 1995 season
Grayson Colby Murray (1993-2024), American professional golfer who won two PGA Tour events: the 2017 Barbasol Championship and the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii
Cecil L. Murray (1929-1930), American theologian, Pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles
Donald Patrick Murray (1929-2024), American actor best known for his breakout performance in the film Bus Stop (1956)
Williamson Murray (1941-2023), American historian and author, professor emeritus of history at Ohio State University from 2012 until his death
Royce W. Murray (1937-2022), American chemist and chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2012, and was the inventor on three patents related to surface-modified electrodes
Albert L. Murray (1916-2013), American literary and jazz critic, novelist, essayist and biographer
Alan Robert Murray (1954-2021), American ten-time Academy Award nominated, two-time Academy Award winning sound editor, the most-nominated sound editor for the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing category
... (Another 68 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Murray family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Owen John Murray (1946-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Mataura, South Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 18
Mr. Michael Wade Murray (1954-1985), American Sergeant from Washington, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
George Alexander Murray (1889-1943), Australian Master who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Kenneth G. Murray, Australian Lance Corporal who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. Peter Murray, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
... (Another 43 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Murray Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tout Prêt
Motto Translation: Quite ready.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html