Background: Murphy is much the most common surname in Ireland: birth registration statistics indicate that of, a population of 4 millions, no less than approximately 55,000 are Murphys. The name, with which the prefix O is never used nowadays, may be either O Murchadha or Mac Murchadha in Irish (See MacMurrough, below). It arose independently in several parts of Ireland: there are, for example, indigenous septs so called in counties Tyrone and Sligo, both these are unimportant in comparison with the great Murphy clan of Leinster. This was centred in Co. Wexford. The Chief of the Name is O'Morchoe, an otherwise obsolete form in English.
Variations: O'Murphy, Murphy, Morchoe, Murfie, Murfree, Morfie, Morfey.
More Info: http://heraldry.celticradio.net/search.php?id=155
Discussion of this family is welcomed.
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