NameCensus.

UK surname

Murrow

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Murrow or a similar location.

In the 1881 census there were 121 people recorded with the Murrow surname, ranking it #17,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 132, ranked #25,882, down from #17,671 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dinas, Mathry and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, St Edmundsbury and Medway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Murrow is 159 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.1%.

1881 census count

121

Ranked #17,671

Modern count

132

2016, ranked #25,882

Peak year

2002

159 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Murrow had 121 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,671 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016, ranked #25,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 140 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Murrow surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Murrow surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Murrow 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 109 #16,212
1861 historical 126 #17,569
1881 historical 121 #17,671
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 140 #18,795
1911 historical 138 #18,811
1997 modern 148 #21,295
1998 modern 155 #21,227
1999 modern 157 #21,201
2000 modern 152 #21,603
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 159 #21,086
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 144 #22,367
2006 modern 146 #22,320
2007 modern 142 #23,025
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 151 #22,816
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 140 #24,395
2012 modern 130 #25,559
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 132 #25,882

Geography

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Where Murrows are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dinas, Mathry, London parishes, Toxteth Park and Freshwater. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, St Edmundsbury, Medway, Dover and Jedburgh. 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 Dinas Cardiganshire
2 Mathry Pembrokeshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Freshwater Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 St Edmundsbury 003 St Edmundsbury
3 Medway 012 Medway
4 Dover 002 Dover
5 Jedburgh Scottish Borders

Forenames

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First names often paired with Murrow

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Murrow

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Murrow, 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 Murrow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Murrow 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Murrow is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Murrow is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Murrow falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Murrow 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 Murrow, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Murrow

The surname Murrow has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "mor" meaning "moor" or "marsh" and "hoh" meaning "ridge" or "hill." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near a marshy ridge or hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Morehoh." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the 11th century in England.

Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Murrow, Morrow, Morrough, and Morrogh. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

In the 13th century, records show a William de Morehow residing in Bedfordshire, England. This individual's name provides further evidence of the name's connection to a geographical location, potentially a place called "Morehow."

During the 16th century, the surname Murrow appeared in various records, such as the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1548, where a John Murrow was mentioned. This suggests that the name had become more established and widespread by this time.

One notable figure with the surname Murrow was Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965), an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent. He is best known for his courageous reporting during World War II and his influential television programs, including "See It Now" and "Person to Person."

Another individual with the surname Murrow was John Murrow (1892-1975), an American businessman and the father of Edward R. Murrow. He was involved in the lumber industry and served as the president of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665), an English diplomat and philosopher, had a wife named Venetia Murrow. This connection further demonstrates the presence of the surname in England during the 17th century.

In the 19th century, James Murrow (1816-1897) was a prominent American businessman and politician from Illinois. He served as a member of the Illinois State Senate and played a role in the development of the state's railroad system.

Joseph Murrow (1835-1912), an American farmer and Civil War veteran, was also a notable figure with this surname. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and later settled in Kansas, where he became a successful farmer.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Murrow families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Murrow 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. Somerset leads with 21 Murrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.45x.

County Total Index
Somerset 21 10.45x
Durham 20 5.38x
Lancashire 16 1.08x
Pembrokeshire 13 32.76x
Cornwall 11 7.78x
Channel Islands 7 18.92x
Derbyshire 6 3.07x
Middlesex 6 0.48x
Northumberland 5 2.69x
Hampshire 4 1.56x
Yorkshire 4 0.32x
Cumberland 3 2.79x
Devon 3 1.15x
Warwickshire 2 0.64x
Westmorland 2 7.29x
Kent 1 0.23x
Monmouthshire 1 1.11x
Northamptonshire 1 0.85x
Surrey 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Evenwood Barony in Durham leads with 12 Murrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 952.38x.

Place Total Index
Evenwood Barony 12 952.38x
Dinas 11 3235.29x
Madron 9 789.47x
Glastonbury 8 487.80x
St Saviour 7 341.46x
Wells St Cuthbert 7 510.95x
Litchurch 6 76.24x
Pennington In Ulverston 6 810.81x
Aughton 5 340.14x
Banwell 5 684.93x
Tottenham 4 20.11x
Crosscanonby 3 84.27x
Freshwater 3 256.41x
Leeds 3 4.29x
Shincliffe 3 731.71x
Tunstall 3 162.16x
Whitley 3 500.00x
Wolborough 3 91.19x
Aston 2 2.31x
Breage 2 155.04x
Kendal 2 39.84x
St Lawrence 2 2500.00x
Usworth 2 101.52x
West Derby 2 4.61x
Aldershot 1 11.67x
Barrow In Furness 1 4.96x
Bermondsey 1 2.69x
Bugbrooke 1 263.16x
Dymchurch 1 416.67x
Great Crosby 1 24.75x
Great Tosson Ryehill 1 2000.00x
Kensington London 1 1.44x
Kirkdale 1 4.01x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 10.38x
Pedmore 1 476.19x
Sculcoates 1 5.10x
St Pancras London 1 1.00x
St Woollos 1 9.93x
Wells St Andrew 1 555.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 4
Emily 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Hannah 2
Margaret 2
Margt. 2
Aida 1
Anne 1
Athalia 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Catherin 1
Elenor 1
Eliza 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
Henrietta 1
Imogene 1
Jane 1
Jessia 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Nellie 1
Parmela 1
Phebe 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
James 5
William 5
Albert 4
Henry 4
Thomas 4
Edwin 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
David 2
Edward 2
Ada 1
Adam 1
Bartholomew 1
Dan 1
Evan 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Hendry 1
Isaac 1
Patrick 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Willm. 1
Wilson 1
Wm. 1
Yorick 1

FAQ

Murrow surname: questions and answers

How common was the Murrow surname in 1881?

In 1881, 121 people were recorded with the Murrow surname. That placed it at #17,671 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Murrow surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016. That gives Murrow a modern rank of #25,882.

What does the Murrow surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Murrow or a similar location.

What does the Murrow map show?

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