Find out how popular the last name Murkey is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Murkey.

Murkey, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Murkey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Murkey in America

Murkey is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Murkey surname appeared 112 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Murkey.

The history of the last name Murkey

The surname Murkey is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the late medieval period in the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "murci," meaning "dark" or "murky," which was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a swarthy complexion or dark features.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1379, where it is listed as "Johannes Murkey." This suggests that the name was already established in the northern regions of England during that time.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Murky," "Murkie," and "Murckie," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common in those days. The presence of the name in historical records indicates that it may have been associated with certain occupations or trades, possibly related to work involving dark or murky environments.

A notable historical figure bearing the Murkey surname was Sir William Murkey, a prominent landowner and magistrate in Lincolnshire during the 16th century. He was born in 1523 and served as a justice of the peace and member of the local gentry.

In the 17th century, the Murkey family had established itself in various parts of England, with records showing the name in counties like Dorset, Somerset, and Norfolk. One individual of note was John Murkey, a successful merchant and trader who lived in Bristol during the mid-1600s.

The 18th century saw the Murkey name spread across the British Isles, with individuals like Thomas Murkey, a skilled clockmaker from Lancashire, born in 1712, and Elizabeth Murkey, a renowned author and poet from Edinburgh, born in 1745.

As the 19th century dawned, the Murkey surname continued to be found in various parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. One notable figure was George Murkey, a pioneering engineer and inventor from Yorkshire, born in 1812, who developed several innovative technologies in the field of textile manufacturing.

Throughout its history, the Murkey surname has been associated with various professions and walks of life, from landowners and merchants to artisans and writers. While its origins may have stemmed from a descriptive nickname, the name has endured and become an integral part of the rich tapestry of English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Murkey

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Murkey.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Murkey was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Murkey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Murkey, please contact us.

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