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Murphy History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Murphy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland-Alt
Ireland

Early Origins of the Murphy family

The surname Murphy was first found in County Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman), founded by Vikings as Waesfjord, and located in Southeastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Murphy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murphy research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1127, 1172 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Murphy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murphy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Murphy, Morchoe, O'Murphy, Murfie, Murfree, Morfie, Morfey and many more.

Early Notables of the Murphy family

Reverends John and Michael Murphy who lost their lives in the 1798 "Rising...

Murphy World Ranking

the United States, the name Murphy is the 59^th most popular surname with an estimated 290,979 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Murphy is ranked the 51^st most popular surname with an estimated 38,061 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Murphy is the 733^rd popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Murphy as 7^th with 1,146 people. 4 Australia ranks Murphy as 44^th with 41,693 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Murphy as 88^th with 4,295 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Murphy as 67^th with 67,818 people. 7

Murphy migration to the United States +

Murphy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Abraham Murphy, who settled in Maryland in 1674
Abraham Murphy, who arrived in Maryland in 1674 9
Daniel Murphy, who settled in Maryland in 1678
Edmund Murphy, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 9
Howard Murphy, who landed in Maryland in 1678 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murphy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Murphy, who settled in Boston in 1766
Dennis Murphy, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1766
Eleanor Murphy, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1767 9
Ann Murphy, who settled in Philadelphia in 1773

Murphy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis Murphy, who settled in New York in 1803
Arthur Murphy, aged 49, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 9
Arthur Murphy, who settled in Philadelphia in 1804
Philip Murphy, aged 22, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 9
Peter Murphy, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murphy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas Murphy, (b. 1877), aged 23, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th January 1900 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 10
Henrique Murphy, who arrived in Alabama in 1927 9

Murphy migration to Canada +

Murphy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Murphy, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Duke Murphy U.E. who settled in Westmoreland County, New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard "Cyrus" on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River 11
Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 was a passenger aboard "Cyrus" on August 21, 1783 from New York to Saint John River 11
Mr. Luke Murphy U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 11
Mr. Timothy Murphy U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murphy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Anne Murphy, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1803
Gerald Murphy, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1806
Ellen Murphy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1831
Bridget Murphy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1831
David Murphy, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murphy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. James Murphy, British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1787, sentenced to Life for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8

Second Fleet

Miss Hannah "Ann" Murphy, (1767 - 1861), aged 23, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. George Murphy, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. John Murphy, British settler convicted in Devon, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. Thomas Murphy, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9

Third Fleet

Mr. William Murphy, Irish settler convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside on 12th January 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Mr. James Murphy, (b. 1742), aged 45, Irish shoemaker convicted in Exeter, Devon on 11th August 1783, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Mr. Michael Murphy, (1760 - 1823), British private on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Murphy Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Hugh Murphy, (b. 1759), aged 34, irish baker who was convicted in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1820 12
Mr. Patrick Murphy, (Edward), (b. 1762), aged 31, Irish convict who was convicted in Antrim, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Murphy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Murphy, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Miss Alice Murphy, (b. 1760), aged 53, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Alice Murphy, (b. 1796), aged 17, Irish servant who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Mary Murphy, (b. 1790), aged 23, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Catherine Murphy, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Murphy 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:

Murphy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Murphy, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 16
Mr. Cornelius Murphy, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 16
Mary Margaret Murphy, aged 20, a sempstress, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Patrick Murphy, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Catherine Murphy, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Murphy (post 1700) +

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Murphy (1935-2025), American middle-distance runner at the 1960 Summer Olympics and later won the gold medal in the men's 800 metres event at the 1959 Pan American Games
James W. Murphy (1936-2025), American soccer player, member of the St. Louis Kutis in the mid-1950s, he earned two caps, scoring one goal, with the United States national team in 1957
Walter Leonard Murphy (1937-2025), American jurist in New Hampshire
Mary Murphy (1931-2011), Emmy award-winning American actress of stage, film, and television
Mary Catherine Murphy (1939-2024), American politician, Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1977-2023)
John Reginald Murphy (1934-2024), usually known as Reg Murphy, American publisher and business executive
Tamara Murphy (d. 2024), American chef and owner of the restaurant Terra Plata in Seattle, Food & Wine named her Best New Chef in 1994, winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii in 1995
William Eugene "Billy" Murphy (1944-2024), American Major League Baseball outfielder who played in 84 games for the New York Mets in 1966
Paula Murphy (1928-2023), American automobile driver, the first woman to drive a jet-engined car on the Salt Flats, first woman licensed to drive a nitromethane-fueled car
... (Another 71 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Murphy family +

Centaur

Gerard Gregory Murphy (1910-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
George S. Murphy, Australian Private who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mr. William Bristow Murphy, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 17
Mr. Jack Murphy (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18
Mr. Peter Murphy, British Leading Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 18
... (Another 46 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html