Nuanced decision regarding my first NEW Kilt and matching bias cut waistcoat

[KevinMurphy]

Kevin;
I'm married to a Murphy so we've done some research on the family. If your Murphys are from the south of Ireland, then MacArthur would be acceptable as the Murphys in County Cork were a sept of the Irish MacArthur Clan. If you family came from the east of Ireland they were a sept of the Scottish McDonald Clan and the MacArthur tartan wouldn't be appropriate.
Hope this helps.
BD

Thank you! I had no idea that the MacArthurs had any connection to the Murphys in Munster.

The overwhelming majority of any Murphy men who have traced their lineage to the Province of Munster in general fit into the modal Murphy family of the project through Y DNA testing.

The Wexford, Leinster Murphys in general, cluster with the modal Cavanagh family of their DNA project and a large number of Kinsella men. They are certainly descended from Diarmaid Mac Murchadha the King of Leinster as these families are descended from two of Diarmaid's sons who are the progenitors of those families.

Interestingly enough both of these families descended from Énnae Censellach, King of Leinster in the 5th Century, according to historical sources. So both families independently adopted the same surname albeit through a different evolution. The Y DNA SNP/Haplogroupe that both of our families share dates to the time contemporary with Énnae Censellach.

The oldest SNP that can be confidently stated as Murphy in origin, pertaining to the Munster Murphys, is R-Z18138. Interestingly enough the age estimation methods put this SNP in the window of time that Dermod Muimneach O'Moroghoe, said to be the first of the family to enter Munster, lived. It is said he brought his family to Munster in the 13th century.

Thanks again B.D. Marshall!

[MurrayInGA]

Very interesting research you've done. My Murray line only briefly came via Ireland, but growing up in Savannah entrentched an affitniity for its culture and history. I then married an O'Neill from Kerry and I helped dive into her family history. Of course I found connection (as best as i could) going back to the ancient Uí Néill's through Munster as well as looking through her mother's family (Fitzmaurices) history which directly came from the Earls/Barons of Kerry and earlier Norman invaders. Ive even got a research service order pending at the NLI, Dublin (now that covid reg's are being lifted) to get some family war records from the Irish War of Independence. Fascinating stuff.

I share your desire to find the 'authentic' connection in my tartan/clan affiliation. While not having the Murray name myself, the connection came from my grandmothers maiden name and the first bit of family history I latched on to as a kid.
As to your actual question on tartan selection, I always defer to going with what just feels the best to you (especially given that you've already established your 'connection' to each of your solid choices), which is of course very unhelpful advice. However, my two cents would just be to endorse anything in the 'muted' palate. Just got my HoE muted Murray kilt a few weeks ago and the colors are fantastic and unique. Pictures dont do it justice or accuracy. While I went on descriptions and recommendations, ordering the swatches was a good call. Cheers!

[FossilHunter]

I’m one of those who chose to just stick to the one clan I am closest too. It makes buying kilts much more affordable as I don’t need more than a few (or even one).

I would just pick the clan you're closest to and run with that.

Edit: having read more of your post, I would go with Macdonald as it is both an actual highland clan and you have more solid connections to it.

It also has a large variety of tartans associated with it so you can pick a tartan your happy with while still choosing a clan tartan.