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{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox name
| name                 = Murphy
| image                = 
| caption              = 
| romanisation         = 
| pronunciation        = {{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɜr|f|i}}
| gender               = 
| masculine            = 
| feminine             = 
| motto                = 
| language             = English
| languageorigin       = {{llink|ga}}
| origin               = 
| derivation           = 
| meaning              = 'sea warrior'
| region               = Ireland
| alternative spelling = 
| nickname             = 
| shortform            = 
| petname              = 
| variant forms        = Murchadh, Murphey, MacMurphy, Morphy, O'Morchoe, O'Murphy, Ó&nbsp;Murchú, Murpy, Murphree
| related names        = 
| cognate              = 
| anglicisation        = 
| name day             = 
| derived              = 
| derivative           = 
| seealso              = 
| popularity           = 
| footnotes            = <ref>{{Cite book|last1=Hanks|first1=Patrick|author-link1=Patrick Hanks|last2=Hodges|first2=Flavia|title=A Dictionary of Surnames|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1988|isbn=0-19-211592-8|page=380|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofsurn00patr|access-date=27 September 2025|url-access=registration|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>
}}

'''Murphy''' is a surname of [[Irish language|Irish]] origin meaning 'sea warrior'.

== Origins and variants ==
The surname is a variant of two Irish surnames: ''Ó Murchadha''/''Ó Murchadh'' (descendant of ''Murchadh''), and ''Mac Murchaidh''/''[[Mac Murchadh]]'' (son of ''Murchadh'')<ref>{{cite book | first = Paul| last = Brewer | title = Ireland: History, People, Culture| publisher = Running Press| year = 2002| page = 351 | isbn=0-7624-1269-0}}</ref> derived from the Irish [[personal name]] ''Murchadh'', which meant sea-warrior or sea-battler<ref>{{cite book | first = Edward| last = MacLysaght | title = The Surnames of Ireland| publisher = Irish Academic Press| year = 1991| page = 221 | isbn=0-7165-2366-3}}</ref> (''muir'' meaning sea and ''cath'' meaning battle).<ref>{{citation |last1=Hanks |first1=Patrick |last2=Hardcastle |first2=Kate |last3=Hodges |first3=Flavia |title=A Dictionary of First Names |edition=2 |series=Oxford Paperback Reference |year=2006 |publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-861060-2 |pages=352, 406 }}</ref>

According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Murphys were one of the chiefly families of the [[Uí Ceinnselaig]] who in turn were a tribe from the [[Dumnonii]] or [[Laigin]] who were the third wave of [[Celts]] to settle in [[Ireland]] during the first century [[Anno Domini|BC]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Cairney |first=C. Thomas |year=1989 |title=Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland |location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]], United States, and London |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |pages=78–85 |isbn=0-89950-362-4}}</ref> The O'Murphys as one of the chiefly families of the Uí Ceinnselaig is supported by [[John O'Hart]] in his 1892 ''Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation''.<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Hart |first=John |author-link=John O'Hart |year=1892 |title=Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation |url=https://archive.org/details/irishpedigreesor_01ohar/page/n9/mode/2up |edition=5 |volume=1 |location=Dublin & New York |publisher=[[James Duffy (Irish publisher)|James Duffy]] & Benziger Bros.|pages=692–707 |oclc=7239210}}</ref>

Murchadh is reported to have been gripped with a boiling awful rage, an extreme elevation and greatness of spirit and intellect when he joined the middle of the action and prepared to assail the foreign invaders, the Danes, after they had repulsed the [[Dal gCais]]. A gallantry and championship bird rose inside him and fluttered above his head and on his breath.<ref>{{cite book | first = W. M.| last = Hennessey | title = The Ancient Irish Goddess of War| date = 28 September 2020 | publisher = Library of Alexandria | page = 307 | isbn=978-1-6131-0276-3}}</ref>

In modern [[Irish language|Irish]], ''Ó Murchú'' or ''Mac Murchú'' rather than ''Mac''/''Ó Murchadha'', is used.

''Murphy'' is the [[List of most common surnames in Europe#Ireland|most common surname in Ireland]], the fourteenth most common surname in [[Lists of most common surnames in European countries#Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]], and the sixty-fourth most common surname in the [[Lists of most common surnames in North American countries#United States|United States]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Occurring Surnames from the 2010 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/genealogy/data/2010_surnames.html |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=7 October 2024}}</ref>
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=== Folklore and legends ===
Folklore in some regions depicts Murphys as protectors of local communities and maritime activities. Tales of heroic deeds, bravery in battle, and protection of fishing routes appear in oral histories, particularly in counties Cork, Kerry, and Mayo. The Murphy name is sometimes linked to legends of sea battles and coastal defense, reinforcing its ''Murchadh'' origin.<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Sullivan |first=Seamus |title=Irish Folktales and Family Legends |publisher=Cork University Press |year=1998 |page=45}}</ref>

=== Modern distribution and diaspora ===
Murphy remains the most common surname in Ireland and is widespread throughout the Irish diaspora, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Irish Surnames Worldwide |url=https://www.ireland-information.com/top-irish-surnames |website=Ireland Information |access-date=16 September 2025}}</ref> Its frequency has made it a widely recognized symbol of Irish heritage abroad.

==People with the surname==

===Men===
* [[Aaron Murphy]] (born 1988), English rugby league player
* [[Andrae Murphy]] (born 1986), American football player and coach
* [[Tony Murphy (cricketer)|Anthony Murphy (cricketer)]] (born 1962), English cricketer
* [[Arthur Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Audie Murphy]] (1925–1971), American war hero and actor
* [[Austin J. Murphy]] (1927–2024), American politician
* [[Barnes Murphy]] (born 1947), Irish Gaelic footballer
* [[Ben Murphy]] (born 1942), American actor
* [[B. Frank Murphy|Benjamin Franklin Murphy]] (1867–1938), American politician
* [[Bos Murphy]] (1924–2000), New Zealand boxer
* [[Brian Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Buddy Murphy]], Australian professional wrestler
* [[Byron Murphy]] (born 1998), American football player
* [[Byron Murphy II]] (born 2002), American football player
* [[Caleb Murphy]] (born 1999), American football player
* [[Calvin Murphy]] (born 1948), American basketball player
* [[Carl Murphy (snowboarder)|Carl Murphy]] (born 1979), New Zealand snowboarder
* [[Carl J. Murphy]] (1889–1967), American journalist, publisher, civil rights activist, and educator
* [[Charles Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Chris Murphy]] (born 1973), American politician
* [[Ciarán Murphy]], Irish politician
* [[Cillian Murphy]] (born 1976), Irish actor
* [[Colin Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Colm Murphy]] (1952–2023), Irish alleged suspect in the Omagh bombing
* [[Connor Murphy]] (born 1993), American ice hockey player
* [[Conor Murphy]], Sinn Féin politician in Northern Ireland
* [[Dale Murphy]] (born 1956), American retired baseball player
* [[Dale D. Murphy]], professor at Georgetown University
* [[Daniel Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Darren Murphy]] (born 1985), Irish footballer
* [[Darren Murphy (Australian rules footballer)]] (born 1964)
* Darren Murphy (1961–2012), bassist with the British punk rock/post-punk band [[Wasted Youth (British band)|Wasted Youth]]
* [[Daryl Murphy]], Irish football player
* [[David Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* Derek Murphy (born 1968), American rapper better known as [[Sadat X]]
* [[Dick Murphy]] (born 1942), American retired Republican politician
* [[Donald E. Murphy]] (born 1960), American Republican politician
* [[Donnie Murphy]] (born 1983), American baseball player
* [[Eddie Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Edward Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Elliott Murphy]] (born 1949), American singer/songwriter
* [[Erik Murphy]] (born 1990), American–Finnish basketball player
* [[Everett J. Murphy]] (1852–1922), politician
* [[Francis Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Frank Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Fred Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Gary Murphy]] (1972), Irish professional golfer
* [[Gary Murphy (cricketer)|Gary Murphy]] (1948), New Zealand cricketer
* [[Geoff Murphy]] (1938–2018), New Zealand filmmaker
* Geoffrey Mostyn Murphy (1922–2011), Australian boxer, better known as [[Tommy Burns (Australian boxer)|Tommy Burns]]
* [[George Murphy]] (1902–1992), American dancer, actor, and Republican Senator
* [[Gerard Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Gerry Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Glen Murphy]] (1957), British actor
* [[Grayson Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Harold Lloyd Murphy]] (1927–2022), American judge
* [[Henry Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Isaac Murphy]] (1802–1882), Republican Governor of Arkansas
* [[Isaac Burns Murphy]] (1861–1896), American Hall-of-Fame jockey
* [[Isaiah Murphy]], a.k.a. Shinsaku Enomoto, (born 1998), Japanese basketball player
* [[Jack Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Jacob Murphy]] (born 1995), English footballer
* [[James Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named James or Jimmy
* [[Jim Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[John Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Joseph Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Josh Murphy]] (born 1995), English footballer
* [[Kevin Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Kieran Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Lambert Murphy]] (1885–?), American operatic tenor
* [[Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.]] (born 1974), American singer, winner of season 6 of ''America's Got Talent''
* [[Larry Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Lawrence Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Lionel Murphy]] (1922–1986), Australian politician and jurist
* [[Loren E. Murphy]] (1882–1963), American jurist
* [[Luke Murphy (baseball)|Luke Murphy]] (born 1999), American baseball player
* [[Marc Murphy (footballer)]] (born 1987), Australian rules footballer
* [[Mark Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Martin Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Matt Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Maurice Murphy (actor)]] (1913–1978), American actor
* [[Michael Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Michael, Mick or Mike
* [[Mickey Murphy]] (born 1985), Gaelic footballer
* [[Miles Murphy]] (born 1967), Australian sprinter
* [[Myles Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Nicholas Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Nick Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Oakes Murphy]] (1849–1908), two-time Governor of Arizona Territory
* [[Pat Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Patricia Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Patrick Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Paul Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Peter Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Phil Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Phil, Philip or Phillip
* [[Richard Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Richard, some nicknamed Dick
* [[Robert Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Robert, Rob, Bob or Bobby
* [[Roger P. Murphy]], American legislator and jurist
* [[Ryan Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Scott Murphy]], American entrepreneur and politician
* [[Scott Murphy (video game designer)]], a programmer behind the ''Space Quest'' series
* [[Sean Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* Sebastian Murphy (Captain, Founding Father of [[Utuado, Puerto Rico]]), b. circa 1696
* [[Shaun Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Shawn Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Stephen Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Storm Murphy]] (born 1999), American basketball player
* [[Sydney Murphy]] (born 1960), Vincentian retired cricketer
* [[Thomas Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Thomas, Tom, or Tommy
* [[Timothy Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people, people named Timothy or Tim
* [[Trent Murphy]] (2013), outside linebacker in the National Football League; played for the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills
* [[Troy Murphy]], power forward for the Boston Celtics
* [[Vincent B. Murphy]], New York State Comptroller 1925–1926
* [[Vincent J. Murphy]], Mayor of Newark 1941–1949
* [[Wendell H. Murphy]], American politician
* [[William Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people,
* [[Yale Murphy]] (1869–1906), American baseball player
* [[Yo Murphy]] (born 1971), American former football player

===Women===
* [[Ashling Murphy]] (1998–2022), Irish teacher; suspected of being murdered
* [[Murder of Alexis Murphy|Alexis Murphy]], American murder victim
* [[Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe]] (born 1995), Irish rugby sevens and union player
* [[Annie Murphy]] (born 1986), Canadian actress
* [[Brittany Murphy]] (1977–2009), American actress
* [[Camay Calloway Murphy]] (1927–2024), American educator
* [[Carolyn Murphy]] (born 1975), American model
* [[Claudia Quigley Murphy]] (1863–1941), American journalist, economic consultant, advisory counsel, author 
* [[Dervla Murphy]] (1931–2022), travel writer
* [[Diana E. Murphy]] (1934–2018), American judge
* [[Donna Murphy]] (born 1958), American Tony Award-winning actress
* [[Elizabeth Murphy Moss|Elizabeth B. Murphy]] (1917–1998), American journalist
* [[Erin Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Gail C. Murphy]], Canadian computer scientist
* [[Gillian Murphy]] (born 1979), principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre
* [[Jess Murphy]], New Zealand-born chef based in Galway, Ireland
* [[Jill Murphy]] (1949–2021), British author and illustrator of children's books
* [[Julie Murphy (singer)]] (born 1961), Welsh singer
* [[Julie Murphy (author)]] (born 1985), American novelist
* [[Kelly Murphy]] (born 1977), American author and illustrator
* [[Kelly Noonan Murphy]] (born 1974 or 1975), American politician
* [[Laura Murphy]], American politician
* [[Laura W. Murphy]] (born 1955), American civil rights activist and lobbyist
* [[Madeline Wheeler Murphy]] (1922–2007), American community advocate and civil rights activist
* [[Margaret Mary Healy Murphy]] (1833–1907), American Catholic nun
* [[Mary Murphy (disambiguation)]], multiple people
* [[Maureen Murphy (ice hockey)]] (born 1999), American ice hockey player
* [[Peta Murphy]] (1973–2023), Australian politician
* [[Róisín Murphy]] (born 1973), Irish electronica singer, songwriter, and producer
* [[Shaun Murphy (singer)]] (born 1978), a.k.a. ''Stoney'', American singer
* [[Stephanie Murphy]] (born 1978), Vietnamese-American politician
* [[Stephanie J. Murphy]], American veterinary scientist
* [[Tammy Murphy]] (born 1965), American banker
* [[Vashti Turley Murphy]] (1884–1960), American educator, community leader, and one of the founders of [[Delta Sigma Theta]]
* [[Yi Lu Murphey]], American electrical engineer

==Fictional characters==
* Meg Murphy, the main character in the movie, ''[[Jinxed (2013 film)|Jinxed]]'' (2013)
* Murphy Cooper, in the film ''[[Interstellar (film)|Interstellar]]''
* Captain Ed Murphy, a character in the 1987 American buddy cop action movie ''[[Lethal Weapon#Cast|Lethal Weapon]]''
* [[Sealab 2021#Characters|Captain Murphy]] from the Adult Swim animated series ''[[Sealab 2021]]''
* Alex James Murphy, the police officer who became ''[[RoboCop (character)|RoboCop]]''
* [[List of characters in Jurassic Park#Alexis "Lex" Murphy|Alexis "Lex" Murphy]], in the film ''Jurassic Park''
* Frank, Sue, Bill, Kevin, and Maureen Murphy from the Netflix original ''[[F Is for Family]]''
* [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Bleeding Gums Murphy|"Bleeding Gums" Murphy]], on the cartoon TV series ''The Simpsons''
* [[Bridey Murphy]], historical character in a hypnotic regression case detailed in Bernstein's ''The Search for Bridey Murphy''
* Coach Murphy, a character in the 2009 American fantasy comedy movie ''[[17 Again (film)#Cast|17 Again]]''
* [[Colin Murphy (Days of Our Lives)]], in the American soap opera ''Days of Our Lives''
* Connor Murphy, from the musical ''[[Dear Evan Hansen]]''
* Elise Murphy, from the 2024 movie ''[[Tarot (2024 American film)|Tarot]]''
* [[Eric Murphy (Entourage)|Eric Murphy]], in the HBO series ''Entourage''
* Frank Murphy, in the movie ''[[Blue Thunder]]'' (1983)
* Hank Murphy, in the TV series ''[[Sullivan & Son]]'' (2012)
* John Murphy, in the TV series ''[[The 100 (TV series)|The 100]]''
* [[Karrin Murphy]], in Jim Butcher's novel series ''The Dresden Files'' (named Connie Murphy in the TV series of the same title)
* Ken Murphy, a character in the 2009 American romantic comedy-drama movie ''[[He's Just Not That Into You (film)#Cast|He's Just Not That Into You]]''
* Milo Murphy, in the American animated TV series ''[[Milo Murphy's Law]]''
* Professor Michael Murphy, the protagonist in the ''[[Babylon Rising]]'' series by Tim LaHaye
* [[Randle Patrick McMurphy]], one of the main characters in Ken Kesey's novel ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1962)
* Ray Murphy, birth name of [[Gino Esposito]], in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''
* [[Sean Murphy (Oz)|Sean Murphy (''Oz'')]], in the HBO TV drama series ''Oz''
* Sergeant Murphy, a fictional character in the ''[[Richard Scarry]]'' books
* Susan Murphy, aka [[Ginormica]], one of the main protagonists of the film ''Monsters vs. Aliens''
* Alvin Bernard Murphy, in the TV series ''[[Z Nation]]''

== See also ==
* [[Justice Murphy (disambiguation)]]
* [[Murph (disambiguation)]]
* [[Irish clans]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Laigin}}
{{surname}}

[[Category:Surnames]]
[[Category:Irish families]]
[[Category:Surnames of Irish origin]]
[[Category:Occupational surnames]]
[[Category:Anglicised Irish-language surnames]]
[[Category:English-language surnames]]