NameCensus.

UK surname

Murney

An English surname derived from the Old French "mornee", meaning brown or tanned.

In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Murney surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, up from #28,011 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Johnstone South East, Johnstone South West and Johnstone North West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Murney is 214 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 432.5%.

1881 census count

40

Ranked #28,011

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2014

214 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Murney had 40 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,011 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 69 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Murney surname distribution map

The map shows where the Murney surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Murney surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Murney over time

The 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 40 #28,011
1891 historical 67 #28,424
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 69 #25,965
1997 modern 167 #19,722
1998 modern 171 #19,956
1999 modern 173 #19,935
2000 modern 163 #20,657
2001 modern 162 #20,460
2002 modern 181 #19,463
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 181 #19,363
2005 modern 169 #20,153
2006 modern 171 #20,131
2007 modern 174 #20,166
2008 modern 177 #20,169
2009 modern 187 #19,868
2010 modern 202 #19,322
2011 modern 190 #19,942
2012 modern 191 #19,802
2013 modern 209 #18,984
2014 modern 214 #18,825
2015 modern 213 #18,769
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Murneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Johnstone South East, Johnstone South West, Johnstone North West, Paisley Glenburn West and Bridge of Weir. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Johnstone South East Renfrewshire
2 Johnstone South West Renfrewshire
3 Johnstone North West Renfrewshire
4 Paisley Glenburn West Renfrewshire
5 Bridge of Weir Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Murney

These lists show first names that appear often with the Murney surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Murney

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Murney, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Murney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Murney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Murney is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Murney is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Murney falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Murney is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Murney, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Murney

The surname Murney has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "muirneach," which means "of a seafaring nature." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who lived near the sea or were involved in maritime activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland from 1548, where a certain John Murney is mentioned. The name was also found in various parish records and legal documents from the 16th and 17th centuries in regions like Aberdeen and Fife.

In the late 17th century, the Murney family established themselves in County Antrim, Ireland, where they were known as landowners and influential members of the local community. One notable figure was James Murney (1667-1733), a prominent merchant and magistrate in Carrickfergus.

As the Murney family spread across the British Isles, variations in spelling emerged, including Murnie, Murnay, and Murnee. The name was also associated with several place names, such as Murney's Brae in Fife and Murney's Hill in County Antrim.

One of the most prominent individuals with the Murney surname was Sir Nathaniel Murney (1776-1854), a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament. Another notable figure was John Murney (1808-1895), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada.

Other historical figures bearing the Murney name include William Murney (1835-1914), a Canadian businessman and philanthropist, and Reverend Robert Murney (1840-1919), a Methodist minister and educator in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, Edward Murney (1860-1935) was a Canadian lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alberta.

While the Murney surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread across various parts of the world, particularly to Canada, the United States, and other English-speaking countries, with numerous individuals carrying on the legacy of this name throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Murney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Murney surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 25 Murneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.40x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 25 5.40x
Derbyshire 7 11.46x
Dunbartonshire 2 19.08x
Hampshire 2 2.50x
Lanarkshire 2 1.59x
Middlesex 1 0.26x
Stirlingshire 1 6.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 12 Murneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.66x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 12 57.66x
Elvaston 7 8750.00x
Toxteth Park 5 31.91x
Liverpool 3 10.67x
Cardross 2 158.73x
Hulme 2 20.70x
Lanark 2 198.02x
Ryde 2 116.28x
Bethnal Green London 1 5.90x
Eccleston In Prescot 1 43.10x
Everton 1 6.78x
Falkirk 1 29.67x
Whittingham 1 500.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Murney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Murney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Henry 6
John 4
William 3
Thomas 2
Daniel 1
Francis 1
Patrick 1

Top occupations

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 Murney households.

FAQ

Murney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Murney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Murney surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Murney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Murney a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Murney surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French "mornee", meaning brown or tanned.

What does the Murney map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Murney bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.