Ó Murchadha

Rev Patrick Woulfe

Irish Names and Surnames

1923

Ó MURCHADHA—I—O Morchowe, O Moroghoe, O Morphy, O'Muracha, O'Murphy, Murchoe, Murphy, Morphy; 'descendant of Murchadh' (sea-warrior); the name (1) of a family of Cinel Eoghain, who were chiefs of Siol Aodha, in the present Co. Tyrone; (2) of a family of the Ui Fiachrach who were chiefs of a district on the southern shore of Sligo Bay, now comprised in the parishes of Skreen and Templeboy, but were dispossessed and dispersed in the 13th century; (3) of a branch of the Ui Ceinnsealaigh, in Co. Wexford, who were chiefs of Ui Feilme, which comprised the barony of Ballaghkeen, in the east of that county, and formed a distinct clan down to the early part of the 17th century. This family is now very numerous throughout Leinster. It is not improbable that, in addition to those mentioned, there are several other families of the name in Ireland.

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