Muriel, Muireall

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Meaning: “sea bright”
(MYER-ee–ul)

The name, in its original form, is Muireall (MOOR-all).

It has been in usage since at least the 15th century, when Muriel, who was the heiress of John Calder, was deposed from her ancestral lands by the Earl Argyll in 1498.

The name appears in history again as that of the name of the wife of Alexander Sutherland (1456). The records indicate her name as Muriella, which was probably a latinization.

The name is still fairly common in Scotland and the nickname of Molly is occasionally used.

In Irish, the name is rendered as Muirgheal. The name is used in France, more often in the Breton speaking areas, spelled Murielle. There is also an Old Norse form: Myrgjöl.