Correct form of surname

[dusty2]

I came across someone in a report named as Thomas Murphy or Mackereenah. This last name looks like an attempt to write what was heard, but what would the correct form of that surname be (if it is a surname)? Because of the first surname I have assumed that the second would be Irish. Any suggestions, please?

[Maggsie]

Hi,
Where did you see this?
It may be a miss spelled townland name.
Maggsie

[Milliepede]

Are you able to post a snippet for us to show what you are reading?

[heywood]

I came across someone in a report named as Thomas Murphy or Mackereenah. This last name looks like an attempt to write what was heard, but what would the correct form of that surname be (if it is a surname)? Because of the first surname I have assumed that the second would be Irish. Any suggestions, please?

Here is the surname - O Murchadha (in modern Irish O Murchu) and Mac Murchadha

https://www.johngrenham.com/surnamescode/surnamehistory.php?surname=murphy&search_type=full

Maybe, as Maggsie says it is meant to be a place name.

[dusty2]

Thanks for the replies. I am collating various pieces of information about the inmates of Saltley Reformatory School in Birmingham. In the Admissions Register entry 95, in 1856, it gives the name of the boy as Thomas Murphy, with 'or Mackereenah' written below in even smaller print. Several of the inmates had alternartive names, and I assumed this was another. I attach an image of the name in the Admissions Register. Sorry, my original photo is not as high definition as I would have liked. As you can see, it is all hand-written, which can add its own difficulties!

[gaffy]

Or could it be 'or Thomas [followed by something like Keenan]'?

I'm just guessing with alternative eyes... 

[dusty2]

That's an interesting idea. Looking at it closely, I don't think that the letter shapes below for your suggested Thomas match the above Thomas, but I wouldn't want to be too dogmatic about that.

[josey]

Could it be Macksheenah? His mother & father may have had different surnames, or his mother have married a second time. The alternative names could be aliases used when offences were committed.

Can you tell us what other info is in that admission register  - does it give parent/guardian details or offence [might be able to find in newspaper]

[dusty2]

I appreciate the efforts that are being made here. A bit lengthy, but here is the full entry as I read it:

Date of Admission: 29 May 1857
By whom nominated: Committed by Magistrate, Liverpool, for 5 years
By whom recommended: -
Name: Thomas Murphy or ...
Age: 12
Number: 95
Education: Very little
Employment before committal: tailor
What trained for in Reformatory: tailor
When left the Institution: 30 March 1857
Parentage and family: Father dead; mother a washwoman
Residence: 58 Coppice Hill, Liverpool
Trade etc [of father, I think]: Tailor
With whom the boys are placed: Sent to Akbar Reformatory [a training ship moored in the Mersey] 30 March 1857

And that is everything.