| ![Show Contents]() Murtaugh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
While many Irish names are familiar, their past incarnations are often shrouded in mystery, reflecting the ancient Gaelic heritage of their bearers. The original Gaelic form of the name Murtaugh is Ó Muircheartaigh, which is derived from the word "muircheartach," which means "navigator." Early Origins of the Murtaugh familyThe surname Murtaugh was first found in County Kerry (Irish:Ciarraí) part of the former County Desmond (14th-17th centuries), located in Southwestern Ireland, in Munster province. "The name Moriarty is now largely represented in County Kerry, in which county the O'Moriartys were Chiefs in the Barony of Dunkerron." 1 The fictional Professor James Moriarty in some of the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was based on Doyle's discussions with a Scotland Yard inspector and his knowledge of Adam Worth (1844-1902), the German-born American criminal mastermind. Early History of the Murtaugh familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murtaugh research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Murtaugh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Murtaugh Spelling VariationsMany variations of the name Murtaugh were found in archives from the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, surname were rarely recorded except by clerks, priests and registrars. The spelling and language in which the people's names were recorded was often up to the individual scribe. Variations of the name Murtaugh found include Moriarty, O'Moriarty, Murtagh, Murtag, McMoriarty and many more. Early Notables of the Murtaugh familyMore information is included under the topic Early Murtaugh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Murtaugh migration to the United States | + |
North America accepted thousands of Irish immigrants during the 19th century as their homeland suffered under foreign imperialistic rule. Although settlers from the early portion of the century came to North America by choice in search of land, by far the largest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Many of these Irish families left the country destitute and in some cases suffering from disease. However, those who survived the long ocean voyage were especially vital to the development of industry in the United States and what would become known as Canada. Research of immigration and passenger lists has shown many early immigrants bearing the name Murtaugh:
Murtaugh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Murtaugh, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 2
- Thomas Murtaugh, who landed in New York in 1846 2
- Patrick Murtaugh, aged 20, who landed in America from Sligo, in 1893
Murtaugh Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Thomas Murtaugh, aged 20, who landed in America from Macross, Ireland, in 1906
- William Al Murtaugh, aged 47, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
- Thomas Murtaugh, aged 34, who immigrated to America, in 1907
- Margaret Murtaugh, aged 20, who settled in America from Castlerea, Ireland, in 1907
- Mark M. Murtaugh, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Murtaugh (post 1700) | + |
- John Francis Murtaugh (1874-1918), American lawyer and politician from New York
- Timothy J. "Tim" Murtaugh (b. 1943), retired American Major League Baseball catcher and manager
- James Murtaugh (b. 1942), American film and television actor
- Daniel Edward "Danny" Murtaugh (1917-1976), American Major League Baseball second baseman, manager, front-office executive and coach
- William J. Murtaugh, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Chemung County, 1935 3
- John F. Murtaugh, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Senate 41st District, 1911-14 3
- Brian Murtaugh, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1972 3
- Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
- 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)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Murtaugh migration to the United States 
Ireland
Scotland
