NameCensus.

UK surname

Murrie

A surname possibly derived from a location or a Scottish diminutive of the name Murray.

In the 1881 census there were 242 people recorded with the Murrie surname, ranking it #11,333 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 267, ranked #16,054, down from #11,333 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Methven and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Angus Glens, Craigie and Craigiebank and Luncarty and Dunkeld.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Murrie is 270 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.3%.

1881 census count

242

Ranked #11,333

Modern count

267

2016, ranked #16,054

Peak year

2014

270 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Murrie had 242 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,333 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 267 in 2016, ranked #16,054.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 250 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Murrie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Murrie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Murrie 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 250 #8,788
1861 historical 203 #11,865
1881 historical 242 #11,333
1891 historical 249 #12,813
1901 historical 236 #13,616
1911 historical 40 #28,913
1997 modern 230 #16,109
1998 modern 232 #16,508
1999 modern 238 #16,308
2000 modern 241 #16,146
2001 modern 236 #16,094
2002 modern 239 #16,332
2003 modern 236 #16,236
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 235 #16,335
2006 modern 235 #16,439
2007 modern 231 #16,835
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 246 #16,597
2010 modern 257 #16,476
2011 modern 255 #16,428
2012 modern 255 #16,296
2013 modern 268 #16,005
2014 modern 270 #16,020
2015 modern 267 #16,050
2016 modern 267 #16,054

Geography

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Where Murries are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Methven, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Angus Glens, Craigie and Craigiebank, Luncarty and Dunkeld, Ealing and Shawfair. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 New Monkland Lanark
2 Methven Perth
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Angus Glens Angus
2 Craigie and Craigiebank Dundee City
3 Luncarty and Dunkeld Perth and Kinross
4 Ealing 008 Ealing
5 Shawfair Midlothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Murrie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Murrie

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Murrie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Murrie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Murrie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Murrie is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Murrie falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Murrie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Murrie

The surname "MURRIE" has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, where it first appeared in the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "muir," meaning "sea" or "ocean," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived near the coast or engaged in maritime activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage pledges made to King Edward I of England. In this document, a certain "Willame Mury" is mentioned, indicating the surname's presence in Scotland during that period.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Murie," "Mury," and "Murrie," reflecting the regional variations and the inconsistencies in record-keeping at the time. One notable individual bearing this name was John Murrie (c. 1540-1615), a Scottish minister and theologian who served as the Rector of the University of Glasgow.

The MURRIE surname also had a presence in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where it was associated with several clans and families. In the late 17th century, a Murrie family was recorded as residing on the Isle of Skye, suggesting the name's deep roots in the region.

Another notable figure with this surname was James Murrie (1785-1858), a Scottish clergyman and author who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1837. His literary works included a volume of sermons and a book on the history of the Church of Scotland.

In the 19th century, the MURRIE surname spread beyond Scotland, with individuals bearing this name appearing in various parts of the British Empire and beyond. One such individual was John Murrie (1836-1914), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Throughout history, the MURRIE surname has been associated with a range of professions and occupations, from clergy and academics to merchants and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to the Scottish Highlands, the name has since been carried to various parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural exchanges that have shaped human history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Murrie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Murrie 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. Fife leads with 50 Murries recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.38x.

County Total Index
Fife 50 36.38x
Perthshire 44 42.23x
Lanarkshire 33 4.40x
Midlothian 14 4.50x
Angus 13 6.04x
Stirlingshire 13 15.18x
Dunbartonshire 10 16.03x
Lancashire 9 0.33x
Northumberland 9 2.61x
West Lothian 8 22.88x
Ayrshire 7 4.03x
Clackmannanshire 6 31.30x
Yorkshire 6 0.26x
Kinross-shire 5 85.18x
Morayshire 4 11.09x
Renfrewshire 3 1.67x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.64x
Hampshire 1 0.21x
Staffordshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Beath in Fife leads with 12 Murries recorded in 1881 and an index of 276.50x.

Place Total Index
Beath 12 276.50x
New Monkland 12 54.08x
Cults 10 1785.71x
Amble 9 573.25x
Crieff 8 206.72x
Kettins 8 1111.11x
Uphall 8 208.33x
Wemyss 8 137.69x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 5.59x
Kirkintilloch 7 82.55x
Methven 7 457.52x
Tibbermore 7 469.80x
Alloa 6 64.52x
Auckinleck 6 111.52x
Bradford 6 10.77x
Govan 6 3.23x
Perth East Church 6 61.10x
Bothwell 5 24.56x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 5 67.93x
Farington 5 312.50x
Shotts 5 55.68x
Stirling 5 46.30x
Torryburn 5 847.46x
Denny 4 87.91x
Dunblane 4 160.64x
Dundee 4 4.98x
Forres 4 105.54x
Kinross 4 199.01x
Kirkcaldy 4 58.65x
Leuchars 4 229.89x
Perth West Church 4 80.97x
Cambuslang 3 39.63x
Row 3 37.17x
Abernethy 2 147.06x
Balfron 2 188.68x
Burntisland 2 52.08x
Dunfermline 2 9.47x
Kinghorn 2 68.49x
Kinnoull 2 72.99x
Kirkdale 2 4.32x
Muthill 2 147.06x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.47x
Paisley Middle Church 2 19.10x
Shettleston 2 29.76x
St Ninians 2 23.56x
West Derby 2 2.48x
Aldershot 1 6.27x
Auchtergaven 1 57.14x
Barry 1 38.76x
Ceres 1 60.61x
Cockpen 1 27.55x
Colinton 1 28.82x
Eastwood 1 9.03x
Monkton Prestwick 1 59.17x
Portmoak 1 120.48x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.20x
Tulliallan 1 56.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Ellen 1
Kate 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Daniel 2
David 2
James 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Francis 1
Robert 1
Samuel 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 Murrie households.

FAQ

Murrie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Murrie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 242 people were recorded with the Murrie surname. That placed it at #11,333 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Murrie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 267 in 2016. That gives Murrie a modern rank of #16,054.

What does the Murrie surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from a location or a Scottish diminutive of the name Murray.

What does the Murrie map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Murrie 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.