Murray-Priors in Ireland
| John Murray/Murray Prior (1720-81). Tom Prior’s cousin and heir. m (1) Mary O’Neil (1720-61) | |
| Andrew Murray Prior (c.1747-95) m 29 April 1772 Frances Morres (1751-1806)1) | |
| Thomas Murray Prior (29 April 17732) - 5 November 1854) m. 1799 Catherine Palmer (d. 1802) m. (2) or de facto? 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 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?