Leinster Murphys are descended from a long line of provincial kings and chieftains, and indeed they can claim a line right back to the ancient tribe of the Laighin, who gave the province its name.
Leinster Murphys are descendants of the 3rd century provincial ruler Breasal Bealach. Breasal’s descendants (Uí Breasal), ruled Leinster for 900 years, the title passing between various branches of the family, including the Uí Chinsealaigh (Kinsella) and the Uí Dhulainge.
When surname adoption became commonplace in the middle ages, these Leinster rulers took the name of their esteemed ancestor Murchadh, famous for his long and eventually successful campaign against the Uí Néill of Meath in the 11th century.
Murchadh’s grandson Diarmaid, also known to us as Dermot MacMurrough, was to become possibly the most notorious man in Irish history.
Diarmaid had gone to Britain to seek help in his rivalry with the High King, Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchubair. Although he successfully enlisted a Norman force, led by Richard de Clare (known as Strongbow), he died before attaining the High Kingship. Strongbow, who had married Diarmaid’s daughter, claimed the title of King of Leinster for himself.
Soon, Leinster and Ireland were in the hands of the English king, Henry II. It was tthe beginning of 800 years of English rule.
The Leinster Murphys did not bend to their English masters, however. Diarmaid had had an illegitimate son, known as Domhnall Caomhánach, whose descendants, the MacMurrough Kavanaghs, managed to regain the kingship in the 14th century. Their great leader, Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach, was a thorn in the side of the English, repeatedly outsmarting the armies of the English monarch Richard II.
Eventually, other branches of the MacMurrough took on new surnames, including the Davies of Arklow, descended from Daibhí Mór, a nephew of Dermot MacMurrough.
The majority of the MacMurroughs chose to anglicise their name to Murphy. One Wexford branch thought the name O’Morchoe more impressive. The current Chief of the Name David O’Morchoe of Oularteigh, is from this branch of the family.
The Leinster Murphys, initially concentrated in Wexford and Carlow, eventually spread throughout the province.
Murphys of Leinster
Tara, Co. Meath, ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland