McMurray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The McMurray surname in Ireland is an Anglicization of two different Gaelic names: Ó Muireadhaigh, and Mac Muireadhaigh.

Early Origins of the McMurray family

The surname McMurray was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the McMurray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMurray research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1450 and 1771 are included under the topic Early McMurray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMurray Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname McMurray that are preserved in archival documents are McMurray, O'Murry, McMurry, Mulmurry, Murray and others.

Early Notables of the McMurray family

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

McMurray Ranking

In the United States, the name McMurray is the 3,442nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1


McMurray migration to the United States +

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the McMurray name:

McMurray Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
McMurray Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McMurray migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMurray Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

McMurray migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McMurray Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

McMurray 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:

McMurray Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McMurray (post 1700) +


The McMurray 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: Virtute fideque
Motto Translation: By virtue and faith.


Suggested Readings for the name McMurray +
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