UK surname
A surname derived from a word meaning "rampart" or "outer wall of a castle".
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Muray surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 33, ranked #35,829, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Cammerton, Edinburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Muray is 172 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.2%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
33
2016, ranked #35,829
Peak year
1861
172 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Muray surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Muray surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 114 | #15,716 |
| 1861 | historical | 172 | #13,619 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 139 | #19,311 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 52 | #32,732 |
| 1999 | modern | 40 | #33,967 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 24 | #36,261 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 24 | #36,306 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 32 | #35,896 |
| 2015 | modern | 30 | #35,979 |
| 2016 | modern | 33 | #35,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Cammerton, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Rathven. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cammerton | Cumberland |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Rathven | Banff |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Muray surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Muray, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Muray surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Muray household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Muray is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Muray is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Muray, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MURAY has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word 'muir', meaning 'sea' or 'ocean'. The name likely originated in coastal regions of Scotland, where it may have been adopted as a descriptive surname for those living near the sea or working in maritime professions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the MURAY surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles and landowners who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as 'Maurice de Moray', suggesting a connection to the ancient province of Moray in northeastern Scotland.
The MURAY surname is also linked to the Murray family, a prominent Scottish noble house that held significant power and influence during the Middle Ages. The Murrays were earls and later dukes of Atholl, and played a crucial role in Scottish history, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence against England in the 13th and 14th centuries.
In the 16th century, Sir William Murray (1501-1562) was a Scottish landowner and courtier who served as Lord of Tullibardine and held various administrative positions under King James V and Queen Mary. His son, Sir John Murray (1532-1611), was a prominent figure in the Scottish Reformation and a staunch supporter of the Protestant cause.
Another notable figure with the MURAY surname was James Murray (1718-1794), a Scottish soldier and colonial administrator who served as the first British Governor of Quebec after the French and Indian War. He played a significant role in shaping the early governance of the newly acquired British territory.
In the literary world, John Murray (1778-1843) was a renowned Scottish publisher and founder of the prestigious John Murray publishing house. He published works by many influential authors, including Lord Byron, Jane Austen, and Sir Walter Scott.
The MURAY surname has also been associated with various place names throughout Scotland, such as Moray, Murrayfield, and Murray's Isles, further underscoring its deep-rooted Scottish heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Muray surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Clackmannanshire leads with 7 Murays recorded in 1881 and an index of 234.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clackmannanshire | 7 | 234.90x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 9.31x |
| Durham | 4 | 3.73x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.93x |
| Inverness-shire | 3 | 27.86x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 3.30x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 6.37x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 2.70x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.55x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 13.37x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.86x |
| Pembrokeshire | 1 | 8.72x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire leads with 7 Murays recorded in 1881 and an index of 1060.61x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tillicoultry | 7 | 1060.61x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St John | 5 | 704.23x |
| Kings Norton | 3 | 71.09x |
| North Uist | 3 | 714.29x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 6.60x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 2 | 95.24x |
| Sunderland | 2 | 105.26x |
| Ventnor | 2 | 285.71x |
| Aston | 1 | 3.99x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 9.31x |
| Everton | 1 | 7.33x |
| Garston | 1 | 79.37x |
| Gorbals | 1 | 144.93x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 4.94x |
| Harrow On The Hill | 1 | 138.89x |
| Haverfordwest St Thomas | 1 | 434.78x |
| Keith | 1 | 125.00x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 13.89x |
| Newchurch | 1 | 28.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Muray surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Muray surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Muray households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Hawker | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Butchers Servant | 1 |
| Carpenter Unemployed | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Income From Dividends | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Lab Wife | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Labr (Gen) | 1 |
| Schoolmistress | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Washer Woman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Muray surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 33 in 2016. That gives Muray a modern rank of #35,829.
A surname derived from a word meaning "rampart" or "outer wall of a castle".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Muray bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.