Murphy Family Crest framed artprint - white background | Family Crests

Celebrate your family heritage with a gift to cherish – the Murphy Family Crest framed and printed on museum-quality matte paper. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

Symbolism of the Murphy Crest

This Murphy coat of arms features a quartered shield with rich red and silver fields, a striking black horizontal band across the centre, and three gleaming gold wheatsheaves. In heraldic tradition, the color red symbolizes courage and martial strength, while silver represents peace and sincerity. Black denotes constancy, and gold stands for generosity and honour. The wheatsheaves have long been heraldic symbols of abundance and plenty, reinforcing themes of prosperity. The lions, often emblematic of courage and noble bearing, further enrich the design. Atop the shield, the crest depicts a bold red lion clutching a wheatsheaf, underlining the values of strength and sustenance. The motto Fortis et hospitalis translates to “Brave and hospitable.” The most reliable historical evidence for this version of the Ó Murchú / Murphy crest traces back to one Murphy family branch linked with Mount Merrion, County Dublin, and another with Kilbrew, County Meath. There is a recorded grant for William Murphy, Esq., and descendants of his grandfather William Murphy of Mount Merrion. This crest design draws from an older recorded Irish heraldic form associated with family branches in counties Dublin and Meath, rooted deeply in the broader Gaelic Murphy sept tradition.

Origin of the Murphy name

Murphy is the anglicized form of the Gaelic names Ó Murchadha or Mac Murchadha, derived from murchadh, meaning “sea warrior.” The surname is deeply rooted in Irish heritage and appears in several historic Irish branches rather than a single universal family line. One tradition places early Murphy families in County Wexford, while other sources cite distinct septs in Cork, Sligo/Roscommon, Tyrone, and Armagh. Because the surname originated in multiple regions, various Murphy heraldic forms exist, each linked to specific historical lines. This particular 'Mount Merrion' version is certainly widely recognised as the best known Murphy crest not least because of the famous beer brand associated with it. Additionally, the Murphys of Wexford have a family crest featuring an apple tree and a golden lion, also featured on this website.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful and uniquely personal gifts for any occasion with family and friends.

Product details

• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.