Surname Gair - Meaning and Origin
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Gair: What does the surname Gair mean?
The last name Gair is an Irish name that is derived from their ancient Gaelic language. It is thought to be a derivative of the Gaelic word "giar" which means "rough" or "fierce".
The O Gairs were a prominent brehon (ancient Irish judge) family from Munster in Ireland, and were active in the middle ages. Later, branches of the family spread and settled elsewhere, including in Scotland.
The Gairs were often involved in regional politics, and they were known to participate in military conflicts, mainly in the service of their local chieftains. Within Ireland, they were based mainly in Dublin and County Cork.
The spelling of the last name Gair has also varied over the centuries, and other ways it has been spelt include Gear, Gare, Geare and Gier.
In more recent times, the last name Gair has become more widespread, as the Irish diaspora has spread Irish names to many other countries. It has also been used as a first name in some cases.
The last name Gair has undergone many changes over the centuries, and still carries its original connotations of strength and ferocity. It is a name which invokes a proud history, and has been cherished by many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisGair: Where does the name Gair come from?
The last name Gair is a surname of Scottish origin. It is most commonly found in the Lowlands, in Perthshire, Angus, Argyll, and Fife, as well as in the North-east and far north of Scotland. Although Gair is not a particularly common name today, there are still a number of people who carry it across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is also found in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the name is still quite popular in Scotland, with a number of families still using it today. It is also found sporadically throughout England, Wales and Ireland, although much less common than in Scotland.
The name can also be found in the United States, with an estimated 14,000 individuals carrying it in the 2000 US census. The name is spread out across the country, although it is more common in the northeastern states, as well as parts of the Midwest and the South.
In Australia, the name is most common in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, with an estimated 1,000 individuals carrying the name. In New Zealand, the name is found mainly in the North Island, with an estimated 1,000 individuals currently carrying it.
The last name Gair is not one of the most common surnames, but it still carries a lot of cultural and historical significance. It is an important link to the heritage of Scotland, and its history can still be experienced today despite its relative rarity in our modern world.
Variations of the surname Gair
The surname Gair is a variant of the Irish name Geary, which is derived from the Gaelic name O' Gadhra. The name means descendant of Gadhra, a personal name derived from the word “gadra”, which means “well-born”. Other variants of the surname Gair include Geary, Gaire, Gearry, Gier, Girr, Gaer, and Gear.
In some cases, surnames like Geer, Keary, Keery, and Gayer may be considered alternative spellings of the surname Gair. These are sometimes used in documents and records where the spelling of the original surname is difficult to read or determine.
In Ireland, the Gearys have been in the area of County Limerick since ancient times. In addition, the name is quite common to the English counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Wales.
The forms of the name Gair can also appear as a Scottish or English variation. Where you find these lines of the name, it can refer to a well-born individual and be related to titles of nobility.
In some parts of the United States, and in other countries, the name Gair can also appear as an anglicised version of the various Jewish surnames, such as Garon, Geller, Garfinkel, and Geller. It can also be the result of migration of Irish and Jewish immigrants with this surname.
In conclusion, the surname Gair has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which can be found in both Irish and other areas of the world.
Famous people with the name Gair
- Rob Gair: television producer and director.
- Alan Gair: actor and comedian who starred in the sitcom Grand.
- Mark Gair: prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
- Joe Gair: Canadian astronaut and builder of the Canadarm.
- Howard Gair: American professional basketball player.
- Jack Gair: harness racing trainer and driver.
- Kenny Gair: Scottish footballer who played for Greenock Morton F.C.
- Gordon Gair: British athlete who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
- Alex Gair: Scottish professional golfer who won the 1961 Open de France.
- John Gair: British Olympic hockey player.