The name is derived from the ancient Pictish kingdom of Moray in the North of Scotland.
The Murray clan hit their peak in 1703 when they were created the Dukes of Atholl, and it was the 1st Duke's youngest son, George, who commanded Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army in the rising of 1745.
Obviously not a tight-knit family, George's elder brother, the 2nd Duke of Atholl, supported the Hanoverian Government against whom George was rebelling, a very wise move with the benefit of hindsight.
The Dukes of Atholl have the unique distinction of retaining the only private army in the UK, the Atholl Highlanders.
So, don't get drawn into a fight with the Murrays or the phrase "Oh yeah? You and whose army?" might be one you live to regret using.
Famous Murray's include;
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Ruby Murray Singer who had several hits in the 1950's but who, ironically, is better known for lending her name to the expression "having a Ruby", the Cockney rhyming slang for "Curry". (See also Del Amitri). |
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David Murray Edinburgh businessman who lost both his legs in a car crash and went on to single-handedly (ouch!) transform Glasgow Rangers Football Club from a parochial Scottish team supported by religious bigots to an internationally renowned football club supported by religious bigots.
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Lord George Murray If Bonnie Prince Charlie had listened to Georgie boy, who's to say what might have been? A brilliant General, he took Charles to within a hairsbreadth of winning the Jacobite Revolution of 1745 which ended so tragically at Culloden the next year. It was a battle which Murray, had Charles taken his advice, would simply have avoided.
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Murray Mints No Scottish child's upbringing could be complete without regular supplies of "Murray Mints, Murray Mints, too good to hurry mints".
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Chic Murray Wonderfully surreal Scottish comic, samples of whose comedy can be found elsewhere on this site. (Great Scots/Chic Murray) |
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Yvonne Murray Greetin' champion of Scotland. Win, lose or withdraw through injury, Yvonne guaranteed the nation a right good greet. To be fair, a distinguished, albeit lachrymosal, athlete. |
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