Murch
A surname derived from the Old English word 'murc', meaning solemn or serious.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,125 Americans carry the last name Murch. That puts it at #15,931 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.62 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 161,296 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Murch surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
2.1K
1 in 161,296
Census rank
#15,931
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,824 bearers of the surname Murch in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.62 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15931st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Murch, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Two or More Races (2.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Murch
The surname Murch is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "murc," meaning "murky" or "dark," potentially referring to someone with a swarthy complexion or someone who lived in a dark, wooded area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Murch can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, including "Murch," "Murche," and "Myrch."
During the 13th century, the name Murch was particularly prevalent in the counties of Devon and Somerset in southwestern England. Several records from that period mention individuals bearing this surname, such as Robert Murch, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1243.
The name Murch is also associated with various place names in England, such as Murchington in Shropshire and Murch Knoll in Devon. These place names may have influenced the surname or vice versa, as it was common for people to adopt surnames derived from the places they lived or worked.
Notable individuals with the surname Murch throughout history include:
1. John Murch (c. 1520-1592), an English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake for his religious beliefs during the reign of Mary I.
2. Walter Murch (born 1945), an acclaimed American film editor, sound designer, and director known for his work on films like "Apocalypse Now" and "The English Patient."
3. Arundel Murch (1892-1989), a British artist and sculptor known for his bronze statues and war memorials.
4. Benjamin Murch (1760-1841), an American shipbuilder and merchant from Maine who played a significant role in the state's maritime industry.
5. Jeremias Andrew Murch (1827-1905), an American Congregational minister and abolitionist who served as the president of Oberlin College from 1867 to 1888.
While the surname Murch may not be as widespread as some others, it has a rich history spanning centuries and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including religious figures, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Murch
Among Census respondents with the surname Murch, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Two or More Races (2.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Murch bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Murch surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- Two or more races2.7%
- Black or African American1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Murch surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #15,269 | #15,931 | -4.3% |
| Count | 1,767 | 1,824 | 3.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.66 | 0.62 | -6.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Murch bearers went from 1,767 to 1,824 (+3.2% change). The surname moved down 662 positions in the national ranking, going from #15,269 to #15,931.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Murch
FAQ
Murch surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Murch?
The surname Murch holds position #15,931 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,125 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.62 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Murch surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Murch, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Two or More Races (2.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.