Murphree
An anglicized Irish surname, usually understood as a variant of Murphy.
The #8,242 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 76,783 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Murphree is generally treated as an American spelling variant of Murphy, the common Irish surname from Ó Murchadha or Ó Murchú. The old Irish personal name is usually connected with murchadh, meaning roughly “sea warrior.” The final spelling reflects English-language reshaping of the Irish name after migration and record keeping in North America.
History
Murphree is most common in the United States, where Irish surnames often developed new spellings in census, church, and court records. It is especially associated with families of Irish descent in the South and other parts of the American interior. Because it is a spelling variant rather than a separate ancient clan name, its history is tied to the broader history of Murphy in Ireland and the Irish diaspora.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Many U.S. surname variants like Murphree became established simply because clerks spelled a name the way it sounded at the time.