Murdoch is a Scottish surname and given name, derived from the Old Norse words "murd" meaning "protection" and "garðr" meaning "enclosure". This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who guarded or protected an enclosed space.
The name Murdoch was first recorded as a forename in Scotland during the early 12th century. It became more common among the nobility over time, with several notable figures bearing this name. For instance, Murdoch of Atholl, who was a Scottish nobleman and leader of the MacDuff clan in the 14th century.
In some cases, Murdoch can also be considered a variant spelling of the name Mordac, which is derived from Old French elements meaning "dark" and "battle". However, this connection is not universally accepted.
The name Murdoch has seen fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in recent times.