Surname Mac Guire - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Guire: What does the surname Mac Guire mean?
The last name Mac Guire is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic Mag Uidhir, meaning ‘son of Odhar’. This patronymic name is derived from the nickname ‘Odhar’, a diminutive of the Gaelic ódhar meaning ‘pale’ or ‘swarthy’. The name was popular amongst the early inhabitants of the Province of Ulster in northern Ireland, and may have originated with the Ui Néill dynasty, an ancient group of kings and chieftains mentioned in the annals of Irish history.
Over the years the spelling of Mac Guire has varied, with various spelling variations such as Mag Uidir, Mag Ghuire, Mac Gwire, and Mag Iar. The name was particularly popular between the 18th and 19th centuries, with many Irish families leaving their homeland and settling in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Today, descendants of the Mac Guire family are spread out all around the world and have become prominent members of their respective communities. As well as members of the Mac Guire family achieving success in business and politics, the name is also associated with music and the entertainment industry, with numerous popular musicians and top-selling authors bearing the name.
Mac Guire is a proud surname with a long and fascinating history, honored by those who have held it for centuries. Its bearer is a treasured and valuable part of the Irish experience, carrying forward the legacy of its ancestors in the present day.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Guire: Where does the name Mac Guire come from?
The last name Mac Guire is found in many parts of the world today. In the United States, the name is the 250th most common surname, with approximately 27,000 individuals bearing the name. The origins of the name are likely to have been primarily Irish, with the Gaelic form Mag Uidhir or Mag Guidhir meaning ‘son of the dark-haired man’.
In the United Kingdom, Mac Guire is a much less common surname, appearing at rank 10,814, with only 24 people recorded in the most recent census. As a variant form of McGwire, however, the name is much more widespread, with 6,741 people recorded in the same census. In this context, the name may have derived from a personal name Mag Uidhir or Mag Fhionnghal.
The name may be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, where MacGuire is commonly found as Macherie, and in France, where it is often found as Maguire. There are also smaller populations in countries including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, while the last name Mac Guire is relatively uncommon, it can still be found in many locations around the world today.
Variations of the surname Mac Guire
Mac Guire is an Irish name and one of the more common spelling variations are M'Guire, McGuire, Maguire, and MacGuire. The Irish form of the surname is Mag Uidhir, which is derived from the Irish-Gaelic meaning 'son of Odhar' or 'son of dark-haired one'.
The Matheson Gaelic dictionary identifies another spelling variation of the surname, Mag Uidhriche, which is sometimes found in County Tyrone and which is thought to mean 'son of Uidhriche', which could mean 'descendent of Uidhriche'.
McGuire and MacGuire are most commonly used in the United States and Canada while Maguire is used primarily in Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom. The MacGuire variation is also sometimes seen in Scotland.
Variants of the Mac Guire surname include Mac Guire, MacGuire, McGuir, McGir, McGur, Maguire, M'Guire and MacUidhir.
The variations of the surnames Mac Guire are mostly found in parts of Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As the surname spread and diversified, spellings became altered to better reflect the local dialects and pronunciations of the various countries.
Famous people with the name Mac Guire
- Siobhan Mac Guire: Irish actress and model
- Hannah Mac Guire: British actress
- Lachlan Mac Guire: Australian actor
- Katia Mac Guire: American actress
- Frank Mac Guire: American film director and producer
- Caleb Mac Guire: Australian actor and radio presenter
- Adam Mac Guire: American soccer player
- Kelly Mac Guire: American country musician
- Erin Mac Guire: Canadian stand up comedian
- Brett Mac Guire: Australian rugby league player