This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Merphy family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Merphy Family History

Merphy Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Murphy, Morphy, Merry, Murthy, Heaphy, Mercy, Mery, Merkey, Murphey

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Merphy family from?

You can see how Merphy families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Merphy family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Merphy families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there was 1 Merphy family living in Yorkshire. This was 100% of all the recorded Merphy's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Merphy families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Merphy surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Merphy ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Merphy. 24% of Merphy men worked as a Farmer and 25% of Merphy women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Merphy were Farming and Seamstress.

View Census Data for Merphy | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    24%
  • Salesman
    16%
  • Laborer
    11%
  • Farming
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    25%
  • Teacher
    13%
  • Housekeeper
    13%
  • Seamstress
    13%

What Merphy family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Merphy. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Merphy census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Merphy

Passenger Lists

There are 146 immigration records available for the last name Merphy. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Merphy immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 107 military records available for the last name Merphy. For the veterans among your Merphy ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Merphy military records

You've only scratched the surface of Merphy family history

Discover More

What is the average Merphy lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Merphy ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Merphy

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Merphy family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial