Johnston & Murphy: A short history and three classic styles

Johnston & Murphy began in 1850 in Newark and became known for classic men's footwear that mixes traditional construction with comfort features. This update summarizes the brand's founding partners, notes a mid-century move to Nashville (to be verified), and describes three historically significant models - the Morgan Venetian, Brennan Plain Toe, and Medford Moc Toe - while advising buyers to confirm current specifications and buy from authorized sellers.

A quick heritage

Johnston & Murphy traces back to 1850, when William J. Dudley started a shoe business in Newark, New Jersey. In 1880 James Johnston joined the company, and after Dudley's death in 1882 William H. Murphy became a partner. The firm took the Johnston & Murphy name and built a reputation for classic men's footwear.

The company relocated operations in the mid-20th century; sources indicate it moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1957 . Current corporate details and ownership have changed over time and should be checked before citing them in research or purchasing decisions ¹.

Design hallmarks

Johnston & Murphy is known for combining traditional construction with comfort features. Many of its dress and casual shoes use leather uppers, cushioned insoles, and rubber or leather soles. The brand has offered airport-friendly, non-metallic designs and water- or stain-resistant treatments on selected models; specific features vary by model year and production run.

Replicas and lookalikes appear in the market. If you want the brand's workmanship and warranty, buy from an authorized retailer or the official site.

Three classic models (overview)

Morgan Venetian

The Morgan Venetian is presented as a slip-on (Venetian) style aimed at easy wear. Descriptions of past versions highlight nubuck or suede uppers with stain-resistant finishes, soft linings for comfort, and elastic goring for fit. Some past listings noted padded collars and flexible, shock-absorbing soles and non-metallic, airport-friendly construction. Features can change with each production cycle, so check the current product page for exact specs ².

Brennan Plain Toe

The Brennan is a plain-toe dress shoe often described with a water- and stain-repellent finish, soft lining, and cushioned insole. Earlier versions included full leather welts and double-thickness rubber or brick-style soles. As with other models, exact materials and welt construction may differ across releases; confirm details for the year you are buying ³.

Medford Moc Toe

The Medford moccasin-toe (moc toe) has been sold as a casual option, typically with a leather upper, sealed seams or waterproof treatments on some variants, leather lining, and a cushioned leather-covered insole coupled with a rubber sole and heel. Availability and waterproof ratings vary by model and season ⁴.

Buying advice

Johnston & Murphy blends heritage styling with comfort features, but model names and specifications evolve. For authentic products and warranty coverage, purchase from authorized dealers or the brand's official store. If a deal seems too good, verify the seller - replicas exist in the market.

1. Confirm Johnston & Murphy's current corporate headquarters and whether the company still lists Nashville, Tennessee, as its base.
2. Verify current parent company or ownership status of Johnston & Murphy.
3. Check 2025 product pages for the Morgan Venetian, Brennan Plain Toe, and Medford Moc Toe to confirm current materials, linings, sole construction, and availability.
4. Confirm whether specific features (e.g., non-metallic stems/airport-friendly construction, waterproof treatments) are included on current model variants.