Murray Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Murray come from? What does the surname Murray mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Murray and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Surname Murray Origin: What does the last name Murray mean?
Murray is a surname with both Scottish and Irish origins. In Scotland, it is a variation of the word Moray, denoting a district on the south shore of the Moray Firth. The Scottish pronunciation of Moray became Murray, which is now a common surname among Scottish emigrants. In Ireland, the surname may derive from names like Mac Muireadhaigh or Ó Muireadhaigh, meaning "descendant of Muireadhach" or Mac Giolla Mhuire, meaning "descendant of the servant of the Virgin Mary."
YourRoots data shows that the Murray surname has roots in Scotland dating back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, it has spread globally, with a significant presence in countries like the United States. Today, Murray is a common surname found in various countries worldwide, reflecting its enduring legacy and widespread distribution.
Murray Last Name History: Where did the last name Murray come from?
Origin of Murray Surname: Where does the last name Murray originate from?
The oldest record of the surname Murray, according to our YourRoots database, traces back to Scotland in the United Kingdom during the early 12th century. This data represents records for the exact "Murray" spelling and does not account for other potential sources or varied surname spellings.
History of the Last Name Murray: What does the Murray surname history look like in the early days?
The historical records of the "Murray" surname indicate a strong association with Scotland in the United Kingdom from the 12th through the 16th century. Over the centuries, our YourRoots data shows that the Murray surname began appearing in countries such as the United States, indicating the start of its global spread.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Murray surname today?
Beginning in the 17th century, the Murray surname started to show a significant increase in frequency in the United States. This trend continued into the 18th and 19th centuries, with the United States ultimately surpassing the United Kingdom in the volume of Murray surname records. Today, the "Murray" surname is found prominently in the United States, but its global spread is evident in numerous countries around the world.
Explore Murray last name heritage and Murray surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Murray Surame?
Bill Murray
William James Murray (born Sep 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian known for his deadpan delivery in a variety of roles. Murray rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and went on to star in iconic films like Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation. He has collaborated with director Wes Anderson on several projects and received critical acclaim, awards, and nominations for his work in both comedy and drama. Murray's versatile talents have solidified his status as a beloved figure in Hollywood and pop culture.
Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray (Aug 24, 1981) is an American actor, writer, and former model known for his role as Lucas Scott in the hit teen drama series One Tree Hill. He also appeared in popular shows like Gilmore Girls and Riverdale. Murray has starred in films like A Cinderella Story and has written a graphic novel titled Everlast. With a successful career spanning TV and movies, he has become a well-known figure in the entertainment industry.
Anne Murray
Morna Anne Murray (June 20, 1945 - ) is a Canadian retired singer known for her pop, country, and adult contemporary music. With over 55 million album sales worldwide, Murray has won four Grammys and paved the way for other Canadian artists like Céline Dion and Shania Twain. She is famous for hits like "Snowbird" and "You Needed Me," and has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. Murray's legacy in the music industry is solidified by her induction into multiple halls of fame and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Lee Murray
Lee Brahim Murray-Lamrani (born Nov 12, 1977) is an English mixed martial artist and convicted bank robber. His MMA career was cut short after a stabbing incident, leading to a prison sentence for masterminding a record-breaking cash heist. Despite being incarcerated, he fathered a child and aspires to return to the UFC. Known for his tough demeanor, Murray's life story is a mix of crime, violence, and resilience, making him a controversial figure in the world of martial arts.
Andy Murray
Sir Andrew Barron Murray (May 15, 1987 - ) is a British former professional tennis player and coach. He was ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 41 weeks, including as the year-end No. 1 in 2016. Murray won 46 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including three majors at the 2012 US Open, 2013 Wimbledon Championships, and 2016 Wimbledon Championships. He also won two gold medals at the Summer Olympics, the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals, 14 Masters events, and contested a total of eleven major finals.
Originally coached by his mother Judy alongside his older brother Jamie, Murray moved to Barcelona at age 15 to train at the S√°nchez-Casal Academy. He began his professional career around the time Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal established themselves as the two dominant players in men's tennis.
Murray had his career-best season in 2016, when he made three major finals, winning Wimbledon. He defended his title at the 2016 Rio Olympics to become the only player, male or female, to win two Olympic gold medals in singles. Murray also became world No. 1 for the first time in 2016, and clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking by winning the Tour Finals title over Djokovic.
All images displayed on this page are sourced from Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons.We use these images under their respective Creative Commons or public domain licenses. Wherever applicable, author attributions and license information are provided. If you believe an image is used incorrectly or outside its license terms, please contact us so that we can review and correct the issue.