Murdoch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


Originally, Murdoch was a nickname for a person associated with the sea. The name Murdoch derives from one of two Gaelic names which have become indistinguishable from each other. The first of these, Muireach, means belonging to the sea or a mariner. The second name is Murchadh, which means sea warrior. 1

Early Origins of the Murdoch family

The surname Murdoch was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from early times.

"Murdac was Dean of Appleby, Westmorland, 1175. Walter Murdac, Morthaich, or Murdoch was a person of prominence in the reign of William the Lion and figures as witness in several charters and other Murthacs or Murdaks are mentioned about the same time and in the following century. Murdoch, second duke of Albany, executed in 1425, is referred to in English records as: Mordac, Mordake, Mordik, Mordoc, Mordok, Mordyk, Moreduc, Mourdac, and Murthak. William Murdoch (1754-1839), inventor of gas-lighting, was proclaimed a deity by Nassred-din, Shah of Persia, who believed him to be a re-incarnation of Merodach or Marduk, 'god of light.' " 1

In England, "Robert filius Murdac, and ' one Meurdoch ' occur in Domesday [Book of 1086.]" 2 Another source notes that in Yorkshire, "Murdac, Murdoc, Meurdoch were all listed in the Domesday Book. And this source notes the name was "introduced into Yorkshire before the Conquest by Norwegians from Ireland." 3

In early rolls the name appeared as a forename and surname: Mariedoc Bohhan in the Pipe Rolls for Shropshire in 1160; Geoffrey Murdac in the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire in 1130; Roger Murdac in the Pipe Rolls for Staffordshire in 1182; Ralph Murdac in Derbyshire in 1197; Sibilla Murdac in the Pipe Rolls for Gloucestershire in 1199; and Nicholas Murdoc in Berkshire. 3

Another source confirms that Murdac, was Dean of Appleby, 32 Henry II (during the 32nd year of King Henry III's reign) 4 and Murdac de Gunton was listed in Warwickshire and Leicestershire, Henry III-Edward I 5

Early History of the Murdoch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murdoch research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1175, 1214, 1296, 1420, 1680 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Murdoch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murdoch Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. Murdoch has appeared in various documents spelled Murdock, Murdoch, Murtoch, Murtough and others.

Early Notables of the Murdoch family

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

Murdoch World Ranking

In the United States, the name Murdoch is the 7,315th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Murdoch is ranked the 639th most popular surname with an estimated 6,091 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Murdoch is the 383rd popular surname with an estimated 1,690 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Murdoch as 888th with 7,724 people. 9

Migration of the Murdoch family to Ireland

Some of the Murdoch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Murdoch migration to the United States +

Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Murdoch, or a variant listed above:

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

Murdoch migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Murdoch Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Murdoch migration to Australia +

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

Murdoch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Murdoch 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:

Murdoch Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Murdoch (post 1700) +


The Murdoch 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: Omine secundo
Motto Translation: With favourable omen.
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