Surname Murtogh - Meaning and Origin

Murtogh: What does the surname Murtogh mean?

The surname Murtogh is Irish in origin, derived from the Old Gaelic first name "Muircheartach", which itself stems from the elements "muir", meaning sea, and "ceardach", meaning skilled or artful. So, by combining, the name can be interpreted to mean "skilled in maritime activity" or "expert navigator/seafarer". It is also found in the variant forms of Murtagh, Murtough, O'Murchadha, and O'Murtagh. As a surname, it was originally given as a patronymic name to identify individuals as the descendant of a forebear named Muircheartach. Much like other patronymic surnames, the original bearer of the surname Murtogh would have been identified as "son of Muircheartach". Over time, it has evolved into a family name passed down through generations.

Murtogh: Where does the name Murtogh come from?

The last name Murtogh is most commonly found today in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

This surname is particularly common in counties Clare, Kerry, Cork, Roscommon and Waterford in Ireland. It is believed to have originated in County Clare or one of the surrounding counties, though its exact origin is uncertain. Early records of the Murtogh surname date back to the mid-1500s.

Murtogh is also found in Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. The surname is typically concentrated in the southwest and coastal areas.

More recently, Murtogh has been found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South America. This is likely due to increased population mobility in recent centuries.

The Murtogh surname likely derives from the ancient Irish Gaelic surname O’ Muircheartaigh, meaning “son of a navigator.” The adjective “muir” is cognate with the English word “mare,” and the noun “ceard” translates as “skilled craftsman” or “man of knowledge.” Thus, the original meaning of the surname likely signified a seafarer or mariner.

Variations of the surname Murtogh

The surname Murtogh has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Murtaugh, Murtough, Murtogh, Murtoge, and Murtoghe. It is an anglicised form of the Irish surname O’Mordha, derived from the old Gaelic “morda” meaning “great lord” or “illustrious.”

The surname has been used across numerous Irish families over time and can be found in many of the distinct provinces of Ireland. It is generally associated with County Kerry and more specifically with the Iveragh peninsula, where many of the records of Murtogh families have been found dating back to the early 1600s.

The spelling of Murtogh is also used as the basis for a large number of associated surnames which have developed over time. It is a highly common name in the countries of Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom. There is also evidence of its use across North America and Canada, indicating that the name may have been used among settlers of Irish descent who moved there in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Variants of the surname can also be found in other parts of the Anglosphere, such as Australia where a large Irish diaspora left for pastures new in the early to mid 20th Century. Here, the surname Murtogh has been found in many records and possibly used as an anglicisation of the more common “Murphy”.

Overall, the surname Murtogh is one of the most common surnames of Irish origin globally and is synonymous with many variant spellings and related names.

Famous people with the name Murtogh

• Jill Murtogh: a popular music artist originally from Ireland
• Vi Murtogh: a famous 19th century English philanthropist
• Martin Murtogh: a renowned Irish actor
• Patrick Murtogh: an award-winning poet and author from Scotland
• Katherine Murtogh: a respected contemporary composer
• Mike Murtogh: a popular American television actor
• Elizabeth Murtogh: an acclaimed visual artist
• John Murtogh: a well-known financial lawyer from Ireland
• William Murtogh: Irish politician and former leader of the Workers’ Party
• Mark Murtogh: an acclaimed documentary filmmaker from British Columbia

Other surnames

Murtock