Murray
/ˈmʌr.i/noun
A Scottish surname and place name, also used as a given name.
Did you know?Murray is a Scottish surname from the province of Moray, whose name is usually traced to a Pictish or Gaelic place-name meaning something like a sea-region or coastal district, showing how clan names can preserve vanished kingdoms.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-12th Century
Pictish/Gaelic
Moray / Moireabh
“A regional place-name in northeastern Scotland, likely referring to the sea coast or a coastal district”
12th Century
Scots/Latin
Moravia / Moray
“Latinized forms used in records for the Scottish province and its people”
13th Century
Scots
de Moravia
“A surname meaning 'of Moray,' used by families originating from the region”
Later Middle Ages
Scots/English
Murray
“Anglicized surname form developed from Moray/Moravia in historical records”
Modern English
English
Murray
“A surname, place name, and given name”