Show ContentsMcMurrer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name McMurrer is Mac Murchadha.

Early Origins of the McMurrer family

The surname McMurrer was first found in Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Diarmait Mac Murchada, (c. 1110-1171), Anglicized Dermot MacMurrough, Dermod MacMurrough, Dermot MacMorrogh or Dermot MacMorrow, was a King of Leinster in Ireland. He was son of Donnchad mac Murchada, King of Leinster and Dublin.

Early History of the McMurrer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMurrer research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early McMurrer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMurrer 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 McMurrer that are preserved in archival documents are McMorough, McMorogh, McMorrough, McMurrer and others.

Early Notables of the McMurrer family

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

Migration of the McMurrer family

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 McMurrer name: James McMorrow, Henry McMorrow and John McMorrow, who were all on record arriving in New York in 1804; as well as Denis McMorrow, who came to St. John, New Brunswick in 1842..


Contemporary Notables of the name McMurrer (post 1700) +

  • Robert McMurrer (b. 1981), born Bobby William Shelton, an American actor, known for his work on Deadgirl (2008), Iron Man (2008) and Million Dollar Baby (2004)
  • Erin McMurrer, American chef, known for her contribution to Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen (2012-2014)


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