Surname · Irish origin
Murphy
Meaning
The surname Murphy means Sea warrior.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
The origin of the surname Murphy
Murphy, Ireland’s most common surname, comes from Ó Murchadha, “descendant of the sea warrior.”
What kind of surname is Murphy?
Murphy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Murphy mean?
The surname Murphy means Sea warrior. Murphy, Ireland’s most common surname, comes from Ó Murchadha, “descendant of the sea warrior.”
Where does the surname Murphy come from?
Murphy is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is Murphy?
Murphy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Callaghan, Connolly, Daly.