Surname MacGuaire - Meaning and Origin
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MacGuaire: What does the surname MacGuaire mean?
The surname MacGuaire is an anglicized form of the Irish/Gaelic Mac Uidhir, which means “son of Uidhir”. Uidhir itself stems from the Irish word for “dark” or “black”. MacGuaire is thought to have originated in the Southwest of Ireland, in a region called Munster.
Traditionally, the name was a signifier of a particular family, most likely the descendants of a powerful and revered ancestor. It is believed that the MacGuaire family held a prominent place in Irish society, and its members were known for their strength and courage.
The Irish clans were based on a hierarchical clan system, and within this system, the MacGuaire clan held a proud and respected place. Over time, the clan extended through the Munster region and beyond to Scotland and England.
As with many Irish families, some members of the MacGuaire clan immigrated to the United States following the Great Famine and other economic hardships in the 19th century. Today, MacGuaire is a common Irish surname, found throughout the US and Ireland, used by people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
The legacy of the MacGuaire clan lives on to this day—a reminder of a proud family history and the courage of its members who persevered through challenging times.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGuaire: Where does the name MacGuaire come from?
The last name MacGuaire is most common in Ireland, where it is a popular surname. It is said to have originated from the Macraith Sept of Connacht, which is an ancient kingdom in the west of Ireland. The name is also found in Scotland and parts of England, where the MacGuaire family has been present since medieval times.
In Ireland, the MacGuaire name is most often found in County Roscommon, which is situated in the province of Connacht and is known for its hilly terrain and pastoral landscapes. There is a separate barony in County Roscommon known as Ballintober which is associated with the MacGuaire clan, and legend has it that the family was among some of the earliest Norman settlers in Ireland.
Although the name was once quite common, today it is not as frequently used. However, it can still be found in records from Ireland, England, Scotland, and even the USA, Australia and Canada, where it has been adopted by many descendants of Irish immigrants. Indeed, this can be seen in places like Toronto and New York, where the name is popular among Canadians and Americans with Irish heritage.
Given its long history and cultural significance, the last name MacGuaire still remains a popular Celtic surname in many parts of the world today, from Ireland to Canada and beyond.
Variations of the surname MacGuaire
MacGuaire is a surname derived from the Irish Gaelic MacGuaire, which is the anglicized version of the original Irish form Mac Guaire. MacGuaire is an old and very widespread Irish surname which is derived from the given name Guaire. It is fairly common throughout Ireland and in Irish diaspora communities across the world.
Variants, other spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacGuaire include:
MacGuaire, MacGuaire, MacGwyer, MacGueyre, MacGwire, M’Gwire, McGuire, McGuyer, McGwire, MacGyver, Macquaire, Macquire, M’Gwyer and MacCuaire.
The variations of the spelling of the surname MacGuaire may reflect subtle geographical, linguistic, or cultural differences, as well as the flow of phonetic spellings in time.
The Irish Gaelic form MacGuaire is composed of two elements. The first element is the Irish Gaelic word “mac” which means “son”. The second element is the personal name “Guaire”, which is a compound of two elements “guaire” which means “noble” and “fear” which means “man”.
The surname MacGuaire is related to other Gaelic formative surnames such as MacDonagh, MacKeogh (Hugh) and MacShane (John).
The alternate spellings, variants and related surnames of MacGuaire are particularly common throughout the Irish diaspora, making them an important link to the original Irish culture and heritage.
The MacGuaire surname is still very common today, with the variations found among many different cultures and family lines. In Ireland, MacGuaire is most common in County Cork, where it is found to account for up to 3.4% of the population. In America, MacGuaire is most common in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York.
Famous people with the name MacGuaire
- Murray MacGuire, Chef and Television Personality
- Patti MacGuire, Broadcast Journalist
- Shawn MacGuire, Canadian Musician
- Dana MacGuire, Canadian Politician
- Miranda MacGuire, American Actress
- Ian MacGuire, Award-Winning British Novelist
- Dale MacGuire, Professional Golfer
- John MacGuire, American Football Player
- Emma MacGuire, Canadian Author
- Danny MacGuire, Broadway Actor