====== Murray-Priors in Ireland ======

| [[John Murray/Murray Prior]] (1720-81). Tom Prior’s cousin and heir. m (1) [[john_murray/murray prior|Mary O’Neil]] (1720-61)    | |
| [[Andrew Murray Prior]] (c.1747-95)  m 29 April 1772  [[andrew_murray prior|Frances Morres]] (1751-1806)((Frances' dates from Patrick Prior's family tree))   | |
| [[Thomas Murray Prior]] (29 April 1773((Patrick Prior's family tree)) - 5 November 1854) m. 1799  [[Thomas Murray Prior|Catherine Palmer]] (d. 1802)  m. (2) or de facto? [[Thomas Murray Prior|Mary Ann Thompson]] and other possible liaisons producing children. This Thomas Murray Prior was the first of a continuing, unbroken line of Thomas Priors/Murray Priors/Murray-Prior.|\\

With the acquisition of a country property with tenants, the Priors and subsequently Murray Priors established themselves as part of the Anglo-Irish gentry. The men were accorded the courtesy title [[wp>Esquire]], usually shortened to Esq. after their name. Arguably, when the estate was lost to the family, one of TLM-P's key motivations was to re-establish the prestige of his family. It is probable that, when re-establishing his family's status, TLM-P was the first to add a hyphen to the surname. 

==== The Thomas Tradition since 1773 ====

Ever since the above Thomas Murray Prior was born in 1773, the tradition has been followed that each Thomas and his wife call their first-born son Thomas. It’s a bonus that the name celebrates the first Prior in Ireland as well as the great Tom Prior whose will prompted the formation of the Murray-Prior name. It is less of a bonus when trying to keep track of which Thomas is which! Nevertheless it is an incredible achievement, indicative of a strong family identity. How many other families can match this tradition?