The Murdoch surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 3,790 people carried this name — #8,669 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 78,100 people counted. That is up 5% from 3,615 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Murdoch surname

A Scottish surname from Scottish Gaelic.

Unknown, but possibly from Scottish Gaelic muir (“sea”), or from muireach (“mariner”); or from descendants of Clan Macpherson, also titled "Clann Mhuirich" indicating descent from "Mhuirich the Parson"; or from descendants of legendary bard Muiredach O Daly.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary (en.wiktionary.org) — entry «Murdoch» (English), by Wiktionary contributors · licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · excerpt, lightly adapted.

As an English and Welsh surname

Bardsley classes it as a baptismal name, from a given name: ‘the son of Murdoch’.

His entry covers Murdoch and Murdock.

From Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with Special American Instances (London: Henry Frowde, 1901), p. 547 · public domain.

In Argentina’s national register

At least 333 people named Murdoch live in Argentina.

RENAPER only publishes a name in a province when more than ten people there share it, so the real number is higher. Most of them live in Formosa.

Where it concentrates, on the map

Where they live today

Formosa 173
Buenos Aires Province 134
Santa Cruz 14
Corrientes 12

RENAPER (National Registry of Persons, Argentina), surnames of residents by province, December 2021 — CC BY 4.0.

In the Nordic population registers

22 people named Murdoch is counted in Finland.

Finland counts its citizens, at home or abroad.

Counted, by country

Finland (2026) 22

Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), Finland, surname statistics, August 2026 — CC BY 4.0.

In Scotland, 1880s

Murdoch was 27 in every 10,000 names in Scotland.

That is about 1 in 370. Its home there, in Guppy’s words: “Ayrshire.” He counted the more than 20,000 names in Halliburton’s County Directory of Scotland, taking Scotland as a whole, and listed only the names that reached 10 in every 10,000.

H. B. Guppy, «Homes of Family Names in Great Britain» (London, 1890), appendix: alphabetical list of the most frequent Scottish names, p. 593 — public domain · names in Halliburton’s County Directory of Scotland, per 10,000 for the whole country.

In Scotland’s registers today

Murdoch was recorded 156 times in Scotland’s registers of births, marriages and deaths in 2025.

That made it the 145th most common name in those registers, shared with others on the same count. In 1975, the first year of the series, the count was 232. Each birth counts the child’s surname, each marriage both partners’ and each death the surname of the person who died — a yearly count of registrations, not of the people who live in Scotland.

National Records of Scotland, «Most Common Surnames, 2025» (published 26 May 2026): every surname recorded 10 or more times in the 2025 registers, and the series from 1975 · different spellings are counted separately — © Crown copyright 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

In print

Murdoch in American newspapers,
1899–1922.

Newspaper page from The Anaconda Standard carrying the name Murdoch
The Anaconda Standard 1899-11-21
Newspaper page from The Omaha Morning Bee carrying the name Murdoch
The Omaha Morning Bee 1922-11-12
Newspaper page from The Port Gibson Reveille carrying the name Murdoch
The Port Gibson Reveille 1903-04-30

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain · 3,532 pages in all carry the name.

In print

Murdoch in Australian newspapers,
1810s–2000s.

98,036 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Murdoch. The most, 18,508, date from the 1920s. Victoria has the most articles, but weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, the name stands out most in Tasmania, at 3.5 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

Victoria 25,818
New South Wales 21,624
Tasmania 21,558
Queensland 13,130
South Australia 8,062
Western Australia 5,848
ACT (Canberra) 1,806
Northern Territory 28

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Murdoch.

Who carried it

People named Murdoch,
with a public archive behind them.

  • George Murdoch
    George Murdoch 1715–1795 · merchant
  • Katherine Frederica Murdoch d. 1926
  • Isobel Jessie Ross d. 1962
  • Elsie Murdoch d. 1940
  • Ann Murdoch d. 1754
  • Antoinette Edith Stewart d. 2011

Wikidata (CC0) · portraits via Wikimedia Commons, shown cropped, in the public domain or CC0 · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Murdoch,
in the records of 7 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States672 records

672 records of the Murdoch name in the United States
  • Passenger arrivals in the United States, 1820–1912 201
  • U.S. alien registration index, 1940–1955 181
  • Other U.S. records 290
  1. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Gilbert G. Murdoch

    Born 1920 in New York. Enlisted 1943 at New York City; insurance salesman from Queens County. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1996, buried at Long Island National Cemetery, New York.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Walter Murdoch

    Arrived at New York in 1885 aboard the State of Indiana from Glasgow and Larne, aged 24; clerk. From Glasgow, England.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)
  3. A U.S. Army record of death and interment, Camp Nelson, Kentucky, 1864
    Example: U.S. burial record, 1864
    Burial record John Durler Murdoch

    U.S. Air Force veteran. Born 1934, died 1990; buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri.

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)

Showing 3 of 672 records for Murdoch in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · U.S. National Archives, Famine Irish Passenger Records (public domain) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Record of death and interment, Camp Nelson, Kentucky, 1864, U.S. National Archives (public domain).

Australia1,943 records

1,943 records of the Murdoch name in Australia
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 991
  • Victoria wills and probate, deaths to 2001 450
  • Other Australian records 502
  1. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record John Murdoch

    Transported to Van Diemen's Land aboard the Gilmore, sailing from London in 1843. Native of Barton, Yorkshire. Applied for permission to marry in Van Diemen's Land in 1847.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record David Murdoch

    Died 1881 in Hobart, Tasmania, aged 78. Will registered in Tasmania in 1881.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Isabella Murdoch

    Arrived in Victoria in 1853 aboard the Sophia Burbidge, aged 25; Scottish.

    Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 1,943 records for Murdoch in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY) · State Library of Western Australia (CC BY 4.0) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour, with the convicts going on board, etching by Edward William Cooke, 1829, Royal Museums Greenwich (public domain); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain).

Canada279 records

279 records of the Murdoch name in Canada
  • Nova Scotia Archives name indexes 207
  • Canadian Virtual War Memorial 20
  • Other Canadian records 52
  1. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Jas Murdoch

    Came to Ontario in 1871 aboard the Ottawa, landing at Quebec, bound for Aurora, Ontario; Scotch.

    Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario.
  2. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Isabel McKilligan Murdoch

    Died 1987, aged 92; buried at St. Vital Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg.
  3. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record John Murdoch

    Died 1912 in New Glasgow, Pictou, Nova Scotia.

    Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia.

Showing 3 of 279 records for Murdoch in Canada.

Counts: Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. · City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls. · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. · Contains information provided by the City of Waterloo under licence · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

United Kingdom130 records

130 records of the Murdoch name in the United Kingdom
  • Stirling Council burial records 72
  • Scottish rolls of honour, First World War 35
  • Other British records 23
  1. A First World War roll of honour of the staff of C. & E. Morton Ltd
    Example: roll of honour, 1914–1919
    War record George Murdoch

    Born 1894 at Bogton; fish merchant. Served in the First World War. Named in the Morayshire roll of honour (1921).

    National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record James Murdoch

    Died 1912, aged 78; buried at Bannockburn Cemetery, Stirling, Scotland.

    Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  3. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record George Cunningham Montearh Murdoch

    Will proved in 1889; of Menai Bridge, Anglesey.

    National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0)

Showing 3 of 130 records for Murdoch in the United Kingdom.

Counts: Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: C. & E. Morton Ltd roll of honour, 1914–1919, photo by Adrian S Pye via Geograph (CC BY-SA 2.0); Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain).

New Zealand50 records

50 records of the Murdoch name in New Zealand
  • Christchurch City cemetery records 25
  • Thames-Coromandel District cemetery records 16
  • Other New Zealand records 9
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Andrew Murdoch

    Died 1956, aged 85; buried at Sydenham Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record William Murdoch

    Buried in 1895 at Shortland Cemetery, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato, aged 55.

    Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Eileen Ada Murdoch

    Died 1988, aged 81; buried at Fairhall Cemetery, Marlborough.

    Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 50 records for Murdoch in New Zealand.

Counts: Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0) · Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0) · Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · Waimakariri District Council (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Netherlands16 records

16 records of the Murdoch name in the Netherlands
  • Dutch church registers before 1811 9
  • Dutch population registers 5
  • Dutch civil registers (births, marriages, deaths) 2
  1. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record Elizabeth Murdoch

    Died 1816 in Rotterdam, aged 82.

    Open Archives, Stadsarchief Rotterdam (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Frank Murdoch

    Married in 1946 in Heemstede.

    Open Archives, Noord-Hollands Archief (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the 1910 United States census, Milwaukee
    Example: U.S. census, 1910
    Population register David Lennox Murdoch

    In the population register of Utrecht; born in Salt Lake City, United States.

    Open Archives, Het Utrechts Archief (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 16 records for Murdoch in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0); Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); U.S. census of 1910, Milwaukee (public domain).

France4 records

4 records of the Murdoch name in France France's national death register, 1970–2001
  1. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record John Murdoch

    Born 1959 in Great Britain; died 1993 in Sète (Hérault).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)
  2. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Patricia Mitchell Murdoch

    Born 1936 in Great Britain; died 1994 in Levallois-Perret (Hauts-de-Seine).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)

Showing 2 of 4 records for Murdoch in France.

Counts: Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Death register of Nice, 1930, Archives départementales des Alpes-Maritimes (public domain).

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Murdoch.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Murdoch is.
A volume says what happened to it.

Every page in the index is free and stays free. The Heritage Volume is the long form: the full paper trail, the arms, the crossing — bound, and yours.

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