Murkison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Murkison

What does the name Murkison mean?

Murkison comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Murchadh, which means sea warrior.The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Mhurchaidh, meaning son of Murchadh. 1

Two other sources claim the name is from Merchiston (Merchistoun), a place name in Edinburghshire. 2 3

Early Origins of the Murkison family

The surname Murkison was first found in Inverness, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They are believed to be descended from Murdoch, a natural son of Angus Mor of Islay of the Clan Donald. In the 12th and 13th centuries the name assumed the Gaelic MacMurchie but with the growing economic need to blend into the mainland the name became anglicized to Murchison.

One of the first records of the family was Fowill Morthoison, who was Burgess of Inverness in 1452. Later, John Murchosone was witness in Peebles in 1473 and Findlay Murquhasson and Neill Murquhason or Murquhessoun were tenants in Tiree in 1541. 1

Early History of the Murkison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murkison research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1452, 1541, 1566, 1574, 1582, 1685, 1726, 1792, 1830, 1855, 1871 and 1879 are included under the topic Early Murkison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murkison Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Murkison has appeared as Murchison, Murcheson, Murchieson, Murquhouson, Murquhosoun, Murckison and many more.

Early Notables of the Murkison family

Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, 1st Baronet, KCB, DCL, FRS, HonFRSE, FLS, MRIA (1792-1871), a Scottish geologist who served as director-general of the British Geological Survey from 1855 until his death in 1871. He is noted for investigating and describing the Silurian, Devonian and Permian systems. He was the eponym of Murchison...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Murkison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Murkison family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Murkison or a variant listed above: William, Jr. Murchie, who arrived in New York in 1774; Alex. Murchinson, who arrived in Prince Edward Island in 1803; Alexander Murchison, who arrived in Jamaica sometime between 1813 and 1825.

The Murkison 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: Impavido pectore
Motto Translation: With undaunted heart.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.